NEW YORK (1010 WINS) – NYC Parks on Tuesday released its first list of the city’s “Great Trees” since 1985, honoring dozens of trees across the five boroughs for their “botanical, historical or cultural significance.”
A total of 61 trees are highlighted in the updated “Great Trees of New York City” list. Every borough is represented from Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx, to Alley Pond Park in Queens and Tottenville on Staten Island.
While the city is home to millions of trees—including nearly 5.7 million, or 81%, managed by NYC Parks—“only a few can lay claim to being 'great,'” according to the Parks Department. The city first embarked on finding these trees in 1985, but since then trees have grown and recent events have made others “worthy of commemoration.”
The 61 trees chosen were among 270 submitted by the public between April 2023 and March 2024, officials said. The finalists serve as “neighborhood and community centerpieces,” standing tall for years “as the city changed around them.” The trees are charted in detail on the NYC Tree Map.
“New York City's trees represent a critical part of the cultural and historical fabric of our neighborhoods and communities, and it is a joy to release the final product of hundreds of proud and engaged New Yorkers submitting their nominations for the trees they love,” said Sue Donoghue, the city parks commissioner.
“When the original list was produced in 1985, New Yorkers could hardly imagine the changes we would see in our city, and through those many years our trees have served as neighborhood touchstones, historical reminders, and unique symbols of our diverse urban forest,” Donoghue added.
Here’s a list of some of the newly honored trees and why they were chosen:
• American Elm in Mapes Park, the Bronx - This massive American Elm inspired a neighborhood to advocate for its preservation during renovations in Mapes Park, and is a shining example of how connected New Yorkers are to the trees in their community.
• American Linden in Joyce Kilmer Park, the Bronx - On November 20, 2015, NYC Parks celebrated the planting of the one millionth tree in the MillionTreesNYC Project. The tree marks the culmination of a landmark program that became a model for cities across the world.
• Ginkgo tree on MacDonough Street in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn - This beautiful tree sits next to the mansion of the United Order of Tents, a black women's fraternal order that has been serving their community for over 150 years. (No photo available.)
• Osage Orange Tree in Marcus Garvey Park, Manhattan - This tree, with its unique twisting trunk, has been featured in art exhibitions and provides shade to a relaxing corner of one of Harlem's largest parks.
• Tulip Tree in Alley Pond Park, Queens - Measuring 133 feet tall, this massive 350-year-old tree connects New Yorkers to their past, spanning centuries of change and standing the test of time.
• English Yew in Hero Park, Staten Island - Believed to be one of the original 155 Evergreen trees planted in 1920 to honor Staten Island residents who died in WWI, this unique tree is a prime example of the many interesting trees in NYC Parks.
