SCENE FROM THE STREET

The July 4th Holiday Came in With a Bang

Text and photo by Brian J Pape, AIA

Starting near the Christopher Street pier, just south of Pier 45, a large oak tree was torn out from the roots by the force of the wind, falling partially into the bike lanes. With roots exposed, one can observe the presence of numerous shallow peripheral roots, but also the absence of large tap roots to hold it in the soil.

On Friday, July 3 at 8 p.m., I watched from my window as a windy mist turned suddenly into a ten minute raging thunderstorm with heavy rain falling sideways from the west.

Further upriver, near Pier 49 and Bank Street, one of the largest pine trees in the park was toppled by the wind, again exposing the lack of tap root to hold it in the soil. Although the tree was not lost, a rather large lower limb was broken by the wind storm, also damaging the park benches nearby. This photo serves as an example of dozens of trees and planted areas that were partially damaged by the storm, strewing branches over large areas.

Due to the holiday events, many areas of the Hudson River Park (HRP) were barricaded or restricted. I didn’t expect to see so many planted areas, and even some bikeway paths, cordoned off with yellow caution tape when I was able to observe the devastation.

The next day, Russell of the HRP told me he spent more than eight hours in the smothering heat Saturday with a chainsaw clearing as much as possible of the dangerous tree limbs damaged in the storm. These photos give a hint of the destruction, but only a personal visit could do it justice.

Another large deciduous tree near West 12th Street was downed when the trunk was snapped off near its base, a very unusual sight unless the trunk had been compromised by wood rot or cutting; some rot was observed. By falling onto grassy lawns, damage was reduced. All photos by Brian J. Pape, AIA.

Another large deciduous tree near West 12th Street was downed when the trunk was snapped off near its base, a very unusual sight unless the trunk had been compromised by wood rot or cutting; some rot was observed. By falling onto grassy lawns, damage was reduced. All photos by Brian J. Pape, AIA.