Tree Caring, a Breath of Fresh Air

By Lynn Pacifico

“Every tree has its enemy, few have an advocate. In all my works I take the part of trees against all their enemies.”  —JRR Tolkien

Indigenous cultures who live intimately with nature consider it beneficial to spend time with trees. They believe that trees are sentient beings who sense our presence and are great teachers. Humans, as part of nature, were designed to live alongside trees as breathing partners, as they provide oxygen and remove carbon dioxide to refresh and cool the air we breathe. Trees also emit alkalizing negative ions, a healing energy that helps relieve pain and supports our immune system. Trees also calm the mind.

We view ourselves as a higher life form than trees but maybe that is because we, as a technical society that devalues nature, surround ourselves with and base our lives on devices instead of nature. Living indoors, we are separated from the natural world and its healing and life supporting cycles. We are not taught to be perceptive enough to understand nature or to use it to elevate the human spirit, so that actions are born out of inner peace and harmony. 

As science studies the more subtle nature of plants, they have discovered that tree roots mingle in networks, creating community to share resources, like water and nutrients. Trees need connection with other trees just as much as humans need connection with other humans. Living in pots and sidewalk beds prevents roots from reaching out and is solitary confinement for trees. Adding the insults of urine, salt, and exhaust, make it difficult for our city’s sidewalk trees to thrive and many live short, lonely, distressed lives.

The company that plants our street trees is responsible for their care for the first two years. The city takes care of them for the third year but after that they are on their own.. Now, with their Tree Care program, the Lower East Side (LES) Ecology Center is empowering tree stewards to step up for our sidewalk trees. 

I attended a Tree Care talk given by the LES Ecology Center. The 30 participants listened to instructions from the center’s horticulturist. Then we geared up with gloves, hand cultivators, vests, and compost, provided by the ecology center. Splitting into groups of three, we went to work on nearby tree beds. Learn more in the accompanying article Sidewalk Tree Care.

For More Information
According to the New York City Administrative Code, it is “illegal and punishable by law for citizens to remove, kill, or damage a street or park tree, whether intentionally or accidentally.” 

If you see a tree bed that is too small and the tree roots are pushing up the sidewalk, a tree that is damaged, diseased, has insects or has its bed bricked in or covered over in any destructive way, call 311 and report it. 311 then makes a report to the Department of Parks and Recreation who investigates within eight days. In the case of sidewalk destruction, 311 contacts the DOT which takes 30 days.

Reports can also be made online at nyc/311. You can request a new tree for an empty tree bed, a permit for a tree bed guard, report a dead tree and more. The NYC Parks Department encourages property owners to maintain street tree beds next to their property and has its own Tree Care Program at nycgovparks.org.

A great project for children would be to request a tree be planted in an empty tree bed and then to steward that tree to maturity. It is up to us to help our forsaken tree friends as they attempt to fulfill their natural role for our benefit. We can learn a lot from trees.

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Sidewalk Tree Care

❦ In the spring and fall, remove debris (cigarette butts, bottle caps, dog waste, etc.) Tree bed soil becomes packed down making it hard for air and water to get to the roots so loosen up the top 2-3” of the soil being careful not to hurt the roots. 

❦ Add compost around the tree, 3” away from the trunk so that the compost doesn’t touch the bark. Mix the compost into the loosened soil. To prevent weeds, add 3” of mulch on top, not letting it touch the bark. You can plant flower bulbs that have shallow roots but do not build up the height of the soil.

❦ The NYC Parks Dept advises, if you have access to a water hose, flush the tree bark and soil to lessen salt and soot. Trees need 15-20 gallons of water every week in the summer and during droughts. Water slowly, allowing time for the water to be absorbed.