300,000+ Trees Planted To Date Under PlaNYC

New York City tree census for 2005 listed the 10 most common street trees. At 15.3 percent, the London plane tree was the most common. In April, 2007, a 127-point plan known as PlaNYC was introduced by Mayor Michael Bloomberg. The plan’s mission is to create and maintain a more environmentally friendly New York City, as well as improve housing and transportation. MillionTreesNYC, one of these 127 steps to a better city, is a program with planting 1,000,000 new trees throughout the city by 2017 as its goal.

It is estimated that the organization will plant 220,000 street trees, 380,000 trees in parks and other public areas, and 400,000 on private and community organization property. Homeowners are factored into the last 40 percent—they can request a tree to be planted on their property through the organization’s Web site, www.million treesnyc.org.

Several areas in Queens are starting to see these numbers implemented. White, spraypainted squares can be found on the streets of Astoria, such as on 34th Avenue between 42nd and 43rd Streets, where the concrete will be cut away and replaced with soil for new trees.

Not only will the planting of 1,000,000 trees make the city easier on the eyes, it will also help improve respiratory health for residents. Trees are nature’s natural filters; they absorb toxins and release fresh oxygen into the air. In a densely populated city that relies heavily on fuelemitting vehicles for transportation, trees are important in keeping the air clean and promoting healthy living conditions.

Trees also cool off streets, contributing further to a thriving environment by lessening the need for air conditioning and fans in spring and summer months. This is an aid to the economy, as well. According to www.milliontreesnyc.org, “Our street trees provide $27 million a year in energy savings.” Their studies suggest: “Trees provide $5.60 in benefits for every dollar spent on tree planting and care.”

Volunteer opportunities are available to all New Yorkers. On the organization’s Web site, one can request a street tree, add to the collective tree count after planting a tree of his or her own, volunteer to aid in planting and upkeep of the trees and make donations. Training and educational workshops, events, outings and free tree giveaways also encourage planting. So far the program is on track, with 315,979 trees planted as of Friday, March 26.