Manhattan
By Geoffrey Croft
Root system decay caused the massive American Elm tree to come crashing down on a family of four on Tuesday in Central Park.
An inspection determined the tree fell over “as a result of decay in the root system beneath the surrounding pavement,” according to the Central Park Conservancy, the non-profit group responsible for tree maintenance in the iconic park.
The group said the tree was last inspected in November.
“There were no visible signs of decay or disease,” conservancy spokeswoman Jordan Jacuzzi said.
“The conservancy employs tree crews seven days a week who regularly inspect and maintain Central Park's nearly 20,000 trees according to industry standards,” she said.
On Tuesday morning Anne Monoky Goldman, 39, was out with her three young boys when the massive tree suddenly fell, pinning the family underneath.
The mother was listed in critical condition with a broken neck at New York Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center Wednesday, according to police sources.
Her 3-year-old son Grant suffered a fractured skull. His injuries are not expected to be life threatening.
Her two other sons, James 4 months, and Will, 4, received less serious injuries.
Yesterday a family visiting from Spain was struck by a fallen tree branch in City Hall Park.
On July 31st, a tree fell over on top of a woman who was sitting on a bench in Joyce Kilmer Park in the Bronx.
Injuries by falling trees or tree limbs are fairly infrequent, according to internal Parks Department documents. 31 people were injured by falling trees or branches between 2011 and 2015 according to data obtained from a Freedom of Information Law request.
That number is dramatically different however from data compiled from the City's Comptroller's office.
Each year there are typically more than 100 notices of claim related to injuries from fallen trees or tree limbs each year, according to the Comptroller’s office.
Read More:
Central Park tree that fell on family had rotten roots, conservancy says
New York Daily News - August 16, 2017 - By Thomas Tracy, Reuven Blau, Chelsia Rose Marcius
Central Park: Woman & Kids Struck By Massive Tree
A Walk In The Park - August 15, 2017 - By Geoffrey Croft
Tree Falls On Woman In Bronx Park While Sitting On Bench
A Walk In The Park - August 1, 2017 - By Geoffrey Croft
Showing posts with label tree injury. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tree injury. Show all posts
Thursday, August 17, 2017
Tuesday, August 15, 2017
Central Park: Woman & Kids Struck By Massive Tree
A massive American Elm tree suddenly came down near 62nd Street and the West Drive, striking a family of four who were pinned beneath it. The incident occured at 10:00am. (Photos: Geoffrey Croft/NYC Park Advocates) Click on images to enlarge
Manhattan
By Geoffrey Croft
A 39-year-old woman was knocked unconscious by a massive American Elm tree while she pushed a stroller in the park with her three children.
Anne Goldman, her three sons, 4, 2 and a 4-month old infant she was carrying wearing a baby carrier were pinned under the branches and tree canapy after the tree suddenly came down.
The size of the tree stetched across the lengh of the West Drive near 63rd Street.
Good Samaritans quickly arrived at the scene and worked together to remove the branches.
An NYPD mounted unit heading down to Trump building detail joined the rescue.
Officers said they heard a loud crack, "It happened very quickly," said police officer Joesph Tomeo.
The mother was lying on her back when police arrived.
"What happened, what happened," officer Tomeo said the woman asked.
The officer described the stroller as, "twisted" from the impact of the tree.
"It was heart breaking," said mounted NYPD officer Meghan O'Leary who also provided assistance at the scene.
FDNY removed tree limbs with chainsaws and EMS treated and removed the family.
All four of the victims were taken to New York-Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. Police said the infant had a few scratches and bruises.
"God helped her out," said Antonio Russo, 57, of Williamsburg, Brooklyn who said he was about 100 feet way on his bike when he is saw the tree come down.
"It came down in slow motion," he said. "It came down nice and easy."
Russo said the mother's youngest boy was crying.
"She just wanted to see her baby, " he said.
Investigators at the scene.
This afternoon Central Park Conservancy workers and a contractor removed the remains of the tree.
The incident occurred approximately 40 yards from where a Google engineer was severally injured when a large rotted tree branch fell and struck him in the head.
In 2013 the city quietly settled the case for $11.5 million dollars.
The city also quietly paid $3 million dollars to settle a case involving an Albanian immigrant from Brooklyn who was killed by a fallen American elm tree near 69th Street while walking through Central Park less than six months earlier. That case was settled as the jury was being selected.
In June 2013, a 59-year-old tourist from Indiana was injured after she was struck by a tree limb in Central Park.
Multiple lawsuits against the City are still pending.
Erin Ade @erinade Good Samaritans helped the trapped family, working together to remove the branches.
A Central Park Conservancy worker removing the remains of the tree.
A Central Park Conservancy worker removes the remains of the large canopy debris field after the incident. (Photos: Geoffrey Croft/NYC Park Advocates) Click on images to enlarge
Central Park Tree Lawsuits: $11.5 Million Payout As City Quietly Settles Google Engineer Tree Injury Suit- $ 3 Million For Albanian Immigrant Living in Brooklyn Killed.
A Walk In the Park - June 2, 2013 - By Geoffrey Croft
Trees Topples in Central Park, Injuring 4
New York Times - August 15, 2017 - By Sarah Maslin Nir and Jonathan Wolfe A Walk In the Park - June 2, 2013 - By Geoffrey Croft
Trees Topples in Central Park, Injuring 4
Central Park tree falls on mother holding infant son, trapping her, FDNY says
AMNY - August 15, 2017 - By Alex Bazeley and Polly Higgins
Mother, Three Children Hurt After Tree Falls In Central Park
CBS - August 15, 2017
Tuesday, August 1, 2017
Tree Falls On Woman In Bronx Park While Sitting On Bench
A tree fell on a woman yesterday evening in a Bronx park.
The woman believed to be in her her in 40' was sitting on a bench in Joyce Kilmer Park just before 5:00pm when a free toppled over on the woman.
The park is located on the Grand Concourse & E. 163rd St.
She was taken to Lincoln Hospital.
No addition information is known at this time.
Sunday, July 17, 2016
Three Injured By Fallen Tree On Queens Parkway
Three people were injured by a fallen tree on the Jackie Robinson Parkway yesterday. (Matthew Wegner via YOUTUBE)
Queens
Three people were seriously hurt when a tree fell onto a car on a Queens parkway Saturday, as the city was hit with a heavy afternoon rainstorm, officials said, according to Daily News.
The car was headed west on the Jackie Robinson Parkway near Exit 4 at about 5 p.m. when the tree fell, a Fire Department spokesman said.
Photos from the scene suggested that the mishap triggered an accident with at least one other car. A tan-colored minivan was badly flattened, and a silver sedan had its front hood folded and smashed.
Fallen tree on Queens parkway injures three
New York Daily News - July 17, 2016 - By Ben Kochman
Wednesday, November 25, 2015
Chinese Tree Victim Killed By Negligent Park's Dept. Contractor Laid To Rest
Jing Liu's widow breaks down outside the Wah Wing Sang Funeral home in Chinatown earlier today as she watched her husband's casket being led away. (Photos: Geoffrey Croft/NYC Park Advocates) Click on images to enlarge.
City-Wide
By Geoffrey Croft
Jing Liu's name hand written in Mandarin Chinese in the window of the hearse.
His devastated widow broke down as she watched her husband's casket being led away to the hearse outside of the funeral home on Mulberry Street in Chinatown.
The small service was attended by close families and friends.
Last week Jing Liu, 48, was riding through Coffey Park in Brooklyn making a delivery when a large London Plane tree suddenly came crashing down.
The Park Department contractor, Carlstadt, N.J.- based RML Construction violated basic safety protocols while working in the Redhook Brooklyn park. Standard safety protocols require maintaining a safe work zone with cones, caution tape and workers on the ground to flag approaching pedestrians, which were not adhered to.
The company also violated the terms of its contact with the Parks Department by only having two of the four personnel required for tree removals as per the Tree Removal Item Specifications.
The"pruner" from RML Construction speaks with an FDNY Captain at the scene of incident on November 18th. (Photo: Todd Maisel/NY Daily News)
It is well known that Parks Forestry division contracts tree trimming workers that are not certified arborists. The two employees were not certified arborists. The Parks Department counters that International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) certification is not a requirement for this type of work.
The Parks Department has suspended all contracts held by RML Construction. The company began working with the Parks Department on tree removals in 2014.
The tree that killed Mr. was deemed removable by the Parks Department in at least July 2015.
The City's DPR's Trees and Sidewalk Program budget is a paltry $6 million a year, up from $3 million last year.
More than a dozen people have been struck by falling trees/limbs this year alone.
The city has paid out $21.6 million in tree related death and injury cases
in four recent settlements.
The body of Jing Liu leaves the funeral home this afternoon in Chinatown.
Read More:
A Walk In The Park - November 18, 2015 - By Geoffrey Croft
Wednesday, November 18, 2015
Brooklyn Tree Victim Dies
Police load the mangled bike into the truck of a patrol car on Monday night. (Photos: Geoffrey Croft/NYC Park Advocates) Click on images to enlarge.
Brooklyn
By Geoffrey Croft
The beloved Chinese food delivery man struck by a tree on Monday night has died as a result his injuries.
The Parks Department contractor ignored basic safety protocols while pruning the tree NYC Park Advocates has learned.
Jin Liu, 50, was riding through Coffey Park making a delivery when a large London Plane tree suddenly came crashing down.
Standard safety protocols dictate maintaining a safe work zone with cones, caution tape and a worker on the ground to flag approaching pedestrians.
A 360˚ drop zone perimeter needs to be established and protected which is generally 1 1/2 to 2 times the height of the tree. The contractor failed secure the drop zone.
The Parks Department contractor ignored basic safety protocols while pruning the tree NYC Park Advocates has learned.
Jin Liu, 50, was riding through Coffey Park making a delivery when a large London Plane tree suddenly came crashing down.
Standard safety protocols dictate maintaining a safe work zone with cones, caution tape and a worker on the ground to flag approaching pedestrians.
A 360˚ drop zone perimeter needs to be established and protected which is generally 1 1/2 to 2 times the height of the tree. The contractor failed secure the drop zone.
Witnesses including Park workers said the private company, RML Construction, the contractor hired by the Parks Department had not cordoned off the area when he rode through.
"A big mistake, a big mistake,"a Parks supervisor said at the scene confirming that the area was not taped off.
"A big mistake, a big mistake,"a Parks supervisor said at the scene confirming that the area was not taped off.
The job was staffed by only a two-person crew - a pruner and a flagman.
RML was doing tree work damaged by Hurricane Sandy, more than three years after the storm.
It is well known that Parks Forestry division contracts tree trimming workers that are NOT certified arborists. It is not known at this time whether or not the workers were certified arborists.
RML was doing tree work damaged by Hurricane Sandy, more than three years after the storm.
It is well known that Parks Forestry division contracts tree trimming workers that are NOT certified arborists. It is not known at this time whether or not the workers were certified arborists.
An NYPD investigator takes photographs of the crushed bike. The deadly tree is on the right.
The victim was rushed to Methodist Hospital, where he was listed in critical condition since the incident.
The incident happened in the park near the intersection of Pioneer Street and Richards Street.
Mr. Liu worked at Ling Gee restaurant a block away from the incident.
"It is irresponsible for the agency to have allowed laborers untrained in the practices of arboriculture (or tree care) to fell an overly large street tree across the public right of way," said Dr. Carsten Glaeser, a Queens-based Consulting Arborist and independent urban tree expert.
"Maintaining a high standard of safety during tree care work well known to the most qualified arborists is key to delivering the level of care expected by the public, although not seen here. That is called due-diligence. The delivery of a lessor standard can only result in an increase likelihood of harm and injury to either the tree workers or the general public. Clearly critical public safety measures were viewed as trivial, and now with an unfortunate human consequence."
"It is irresponsible for the agency to have allowed laborers untrained in the practices of arboriculture (or tree care) to fell an overly large street tree across the public right of way," said Dr. Carsten Glaeser, a Queens-based Consulting Arborist and independent urban tree expert.
"Maintaining a high standard of safety during tree care work well known to the most qualified arborists is key to delivering the level of care expected by the public, although not seen here. That is called due-diligence. The delivery of a lessor standard can only result in an increase likelihood of harm and injury to either the tree workers or the general public. Clearly critical public safety measures were viewed as trivial, and now with an unfortunate human consequence."
The pruner (left) and the flagman (right) from RML Construction, a private company contracted by the Parks Department, at the deadly scene on Monday night speaking with NYPD investigator from Highway.
Monday, November 16, 2015
Delivery Worker Struck By Tree At Brooklyn Park In Critical Condtion
Brooklyn
By Geoffrey Croft
A delivery worker on a bike is in critical condition after being struck in the head by a tree a Park Department contractor had cut, NYC Park Advocates has learned.
The incident occurred near Richards & Pioneer Streets in Brooklyn at Coffey Park this afternoon.
The safety protocol of the work being performed is being questioned.
Thursday, July 23, 2015
Tree Branch Injures Teen In Brooklyn Playground
Brooklyn
By Geoffrey Croft
A 19-year-old male was struck in the head by a large tree branch in a Brooklyn playground, NYC Park Advocates has learned.
The incident occurred yesterday at 12:55pm at West Playground on Avenue Z, and West 1st Street near Coney Island.
The teen was transported bleeding with "multiple trauma" injuries to Coney Island Hospital according to EMS.
The incident occurred just two days after two young boys were struck by a tree branch in the Bronx.
On June 15, a tree branch fell on a 65-year-old man in Thomas Jefferson Park in Manhattan causing lacerations to his leg.
NYC Park Advocates has been calling for a dramatic increase in tree inspections by licensed professionals and a budget allocation for tree maintenance. The taxpayers are being forced to spend money on settlements as a result of tree injuries instead of preventing the accidents from happening in the first place.
A tree reporting bill (S1028) sponsored by State Senator Tony Avella has stalled in the Senate.
A tree reporting bill (S1028) sponsored by State Senator Tony Avella has stalled in the Senate.
Tuesday, July 21, 2015
Tree Branch Injures Two Kids, ages 9 and 8, In Bronx Playground
First responders at the scene. The large tree limb suddendly came down on two Bronx boys as they were filling up water balloons in a playground in Bronx River Park.
Bronx
Two young boys playfully filling water balloons in Bronx River Park on Monday were suddenly clobbered by a falling tree branch — one so hard his “head caved in” cops and family said, according to the New York Daily News.
Jhostin and Edward Reyes, ages 9 and 8, were hanging out near a park playground in the park at E. 180th St. and Boston Road in West Farms when there was a resounding crack and the boys were walloped by the plummeting limb around 3:30 p.m., police and witnesses said.
The boys were dazed and bloody as emergency workers arrived.
“(Jhostin's) head caved in. It hit him that hard,” said the boy's uncle Roberto Hernandez, 18.
The children were taken to Jacobi Medical Center, both conscious and alert, cops said. Family said Jhostin, whose leg was also broken, was in intensive care with an apparent skull fracture.
Police said both boys were in stable condition.
The two boys being treated at the scene by the fire department.
The two boys being treated at the scene by the fire department.
“He was crying and kept saying, ‘Why’d this happen to me? Why’d this happen to me?” Zulanlly Luna, 23, the boys’ aunt said of Jhostin. Edward suffered bumps and bruises from the foot-thick oak branch, which was at least 10 feet long, police sources said.
“That should’ve been a wakeup call to check the other trees,” said Luna, who remained near the scene of the injury as parks workers closed off the area around where the branch fell.
Several precarious boughs hung near the playground in the park on Monday, leaving parents wondering if the incident would repeat itself on another day when such a thing could happen again.
“That’s dangerous. Any one of our kids coulda got hurt,” said Takasha Ross, 25, of Parkchester, who had come to the park with her kids, ages 1 and 6. “At least trim the old branches.”
The FDNY and Parks Department were on scene removing the branch late Monday in a closed-off portion of the park.
“Parks is investigating the tree and has closed the playground pending the results,” a parks spokesman said in a statement.
(Photo: Sam Costanza/For New York Daily News)
(Photo: Sam Costanza/For New York Daily News)
(Photo: Sam Costanza/For New York Daily News)
New York Daily News - July 20, 2015
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Parks Department To Remove Thousands Of Sandy-Damaged Trees In Southern Brooklyn
Damaged — and potentially deadly — littered Brooklyn after Superstorm Sandy. Now many trees that are still standing will be cut down before they can strike again. (Mark Lennihan/AP)
Brooklyn
The city will cut down 2,000 trees this fall in an attempt to stop the flora before it can kill or maim again.
The trees are the silent victims of Superstorm Sandy — so badly damaged by salt water inundation that they are likely to fall on residents during routine wind or rain, according to the New York Daily News.
"It is a very sad time because these trees have been here for so long, but it is a necessity for safety," said Chuck Reichenthal, the venerable district manager for Community Board 13, which includes Coney Island, Sea Gate, and Bensonhurst, some of the worst hit in the borough.
"Everybody is hoping they make replacements because this is still Brooklyn, and this is where trees are grown.”
Over 20,000 trees were destroyed in the hurricane last year, but brackish water from the storm surge infiltrated the southern Brooklyn soil, damaging root systems.
The stand as sentinels, undead zombies that are still intact, but marred by brown leaves and thinning boughs.
The city is hoping to avoid tree incidents like this. (Photo: Marc A. Hermann/For New York Daily News)
Many have dropped limbs and caused injuries and near-misses.
A Coney Island resident, Martin Novitsky, suffered a concussion in July when he was struck by a falling tree branch while walking along the boardwalk. Novitsky survived but has since joined other tree advocates to push the city to fast track the cleanup post-Sandy.
"Obviously it is very important to remove dead, decaying, or deceased trees for safety," said Geoffrey Croft, president of New York City Park Advocates, a watchdog group. "But the city really needs to increase the numbers of parks inspectors to prevent any such injuries from taking place."
The Parks department began surveying 48,000 the decayed trees earlier this year. Another 4,500 will be re-inspected in the fall.
The Parks Department said it has not yet determined a time frame for the removal of the trees. The agency promised to revisit the denuded areas this spring, during tree planting season.
"In the interim, we have been and will continue to remediate soil, as necessary, with compost and gypsum - both mitigate salt damage - to encourage the return of healthy biological functioning," said Meghan Lalor, a Parks Department spokeswoman.
Read More:
New York Daily News - August 28, 2013 - By Tanay Warerkar
Saturday, August 10, 2013
Brooklyn Man Injured By Falling Tree in Prospect Park To Sue City For $ 20 Mil.
Brooklyn
By Geoffrey Croft
The Claim cites unspecified "severe and permanent personal injuries," including "emotional injuries" to Jermaine Shell "as a result of negligence. carelesness, recklessnss and gross negligence of the City and Parks Department. "
The claim says Mr. Shell was "seriously injured when he was struck by a fallen tree" whose "resulting injuries were caused solely by the negligence of the City, the Parks Department which we negligent in its ownership, supervision, management, maintenance and control" of the tree.
It says the city was negligent and carless in its failure to properly, adequately and/or timely inspect, and maintain the public park and tree.
The Parks Department and the Prospect Park Alliance are named as defendants.
Mr. Shell's lawyers are also demanding the Parks Department preserve all evidence pertaining go the incident including maintenance, Inspection and Repair records.
A motion was also filed in state Supreme Court demanding the City and Parks Department preserve the tree itself, its maintenance records, and all materials removed from the scene of the accident.
On the morning of July 27 around 7:30 am Shell was walking with three dogs when the tree hit him.
He was taken by ambulance to Kings County Hospital.
The filing comes after a series of tree-related injuries in city parks and NYCHA properties including the tragic death this week of a 30-year-old pregnant woman in Queens as a result of a deceased tree.
On August 5th, Yingyi Li-Dikov, 30, was tragically killed after a large oak fell on her in Kissena Park on Sunday night.
Thirteen people have been injured over an eight week period.
Mr. Shell's filing was first reported by DNAinfo.
Read More:
A Walk In The Park - July 30, 2013 - By Geoffrey Croft
City Removes Destroyed Bench In Deadly Tree Incident That Killed
Pregnant Yingyi Li-Dikov In Kissena Park
A Walk In The Park - August 9, 2013 - By Geoffrey Croft
Rotted Tree Killed Pregnant Woman In Kissena Park
A Walk In The Park - August 5, 2013 - By Geoffrey Croft
Pregnant Woman Killed By Tree In Queens Park
A Walk In The Park - August 4, 2013 - By Geoffrey Croft
A Walk In The Park - August 4, 2013 - By Geoffrey Croft
Friday, August 9, 2013
City Removes Destroyed Bench In Deadly Tree Incident That Killed Pregnant Yingyi Li-Dikov In Kissena Park
Monday Morning - Kissena Park. (NYC Park Advocates)
Rotted Tree Stump From Deadly Oak Tree. Fungal decay known as "butt root" significantly reduced tree wood strength at the trees most vulnerable point - the tree base. Diminished is the ability for the tree to defy gravity and remain upright eventually failing under its own weight of close to 4-5 tons of tree mass.
The remains of a hallowed tree stump few feet away.
Read/View More:
Queens Residents Want Parks Department To Be More Proactive With City's Rotting Trees
NY 1 - August 8, 2013 - By Agnes Chung
Rotted Tree Killed Pregnant Woman In Kissena Park
A Walk In The Park - August 5, 2013 - By Geoffrey Croft
Pregnant Woman Killed By Tree In Queens Park
A Walk In The Park - August 4, 2013 - By Geoffrey Croft
Monday, August 5, 2013
Rotted Tree Killed Pregnant Woman In Kissena Park
City's Lack of Tree Maintance and Inspections Slammed
The remains of the park bench where Yingyi Li-Dikov, 30, was tragically killed last night in Kissena Park. (Photos: Geoffrey Croft/NYC Park Advocates) Click on images to enlarge.
Rotted Tree Stump From Deadly Oak Tree. With the failed oak tree now removed, the remaining tree stump tells a scary story of a slow progression of fungal decay that had been in progress for years if not decades. The fungal decay known as "butt root" significantly reduced tree wood strength at the trees most vulnerable point- the tree base. Diminished is the ability for the tree to defy gravity and remain upright eventually failing under its own weight of close to 4-5 tons of tree mass.
"The tree was hollowed out. It was dead," said several Parks Department workers.
Thirteen people have been injured by trees over the last eight weeks alone.
Queens
By Geoffrey Croft
A large rotted Oak tree killed a pregnant Queens woman, NYC Park Advocates has learned.
Yingyi Li-Dikov, 30, was tragically killed last night while sitting on a park bench enjoying a beautiful Sunday evening in Kissena Park when the diseased Oak tree crushed her.
Her heart broken husband, Aleksandar Dikov, 20, dressed in his Army National Guard uniform, wept this morning with his parents as he placed flowers beside the crushed bench she was killed on.
Two Park Enforcement Patrol officers stand guard near makeshift memorial. Yingyi Li-Dikov's husband, Aleksandar, placed flowers up against the bench in a heart breaking moment this morning.
They were married in June 2012. She was six months pregnant and were expecting a daughter.
The loving couple had just moved back from Texas in March where he was doing basic training in the National Guard. They were in the process of moving into an apt. on Oak Avenue across the street from the park when this horrific tragedy struck.
The rotted base of the tree where it snapped. A carefully worded statement by the Parks Department avoided admitting the trees were not inspected.
According to Mr. Dikov, they both used the park daily.
We have know learned that over the last eight weeks alone 13 people have been injured including last night's horrific tragedy.
The problems involving the city's trees are widely known.
The City allocates a fraction of the funds necessary to properly maintain and inspect its more than 2.6 million trees.
The City recently paid out $ 14.5 million dollars to settle two tree cases in Central Park and has numerous cases pending.
When will the elected officials allocate the proper funds needed to help AVOID people getting hurt or killed.
The Parks Department desperately needs personnel to care for its only living infrastructure.
How many more people have to be injured killed or before the City begins to take this issue seriously.
The Parks Department refused to provide the media with the number of tree inspectors for the more than 2.6 million trees they are legally charged with caring for, or provide the number of dedicated personnel to maintain them.
Instead, the agency dumped out a statement at 5:00pm meant in part to deceive the media and the public into thinking the trees near the incident were inspected when they were clearly not. The carefully worded statement said the area had "six zone inspections," without specifically mentioning that each tree or any tree had been inspected.
Besides not taking responsibility for the tragedy, they also stated that the agency is now, "contracting an independent tree consultant to review all of our tree management procedures."
"The incident involving a falling tree Sunday in Kissena Park was a tragic accident and our thoughts and prayers are with the victim’s family. This oak tree, approximately 70-years old and 50-feet tall, snapped about eight feet from the ground. The tree is being thoroughly examined to determine more about its condition."
At the time of the statement's release, the agency was fully aware of the tree's condition.
"NYC Parks is responsible for the maintenance of 2 million trees inside our parks and 600,000 more along NYC streets. Trees along pathways, roadways and playgrounds inside of parks are regularly inspected by Park Supervisors, augmented by our staff of professional foresters, who look for potential defects. There have been six zone inspections in 2013 in this area of Kissena Park, the last one on June 20.
Last winter, our Supervisors completed a retraining program to better identify defects. NYC Parks is in the process of contracting an independent tree consultant to review all of our tree management procedures."
The dead 50 foot long Oak tree lays across the staircase and path.
The recent $ 70 billion dollar budget passed by the Mayor and the City Council allocates just $ 290 million dollars in tax levy funds for parks maintenance and operation for an agency responsible for 14 percent of the City's land.
State Senator Tony Avella, who represents the area, blamed the city for neglecting tree maintenance.
“It’s unacceptable,” he said. “You can’t keep saying it’s an act of God.”
At a press conference today held near where Yingyi Li-Dikov was killed, Sen. Avella called on the Mayor to suspend the Million Tree Program and instead devote those resources to properly maintain and inspect the existing tree inventory.
"How can the mayor want to plant a million trees if the City cannot even take care of the trees is already has."
Avella has long been a long time critic of the Parks Department's inability and unwillingness to properly maintain city trees and to respond to homeowners requests for tree pruning and tree removals.
"I have been saying for a while now that people's lives are in danger as a result of the current City tree policy," Avella said in a statement.
The Senator also announced much needed legislation which would require the city to contract with a consulting arborist to inspect, diagnose and analyze for defects and disease all public trees and/or tree parts involved in property damage, personal injury or death within 48 hours and for a report to be issued that is publicly available on-line within 30 days of the inspection.
"The resources and the leadership needed so as to provide the Best Management Practices and highest standard possible to maintain the urban tree asset and public safety has been shifted elsewhere, now with consequences," said noted arborist, Carsten Glaeser, PHD from Glaeser Horticultural Consulting.
At the time of the statement's release, the agency was fully aware of the tree's condition.
"NYC Parks is responsible for the maintenance of 2 million trees inside our parks and 600,000 more along NYC streets. Trees along pathways, roadways and playgrounds inside of parks are regularly inspected by Park Supervisors, augmented by our staff of professional foresters, who look for potential defects. There have been six zone inspections in 2013 in this area of Kissena Park, the last one on June 20.
Last winter, our Supervisors completed a retraining program to better identify defects. NYC Parks is in the process of contracting an independent tree consultant to review all of our tree management procedures."
The dead 50 foot long Oak tree lays across the staircase and path.
The recent $ 70 billion dollar budget passed by the Mayor and the City Council allocates just $ 290 million dollars in tax levy funds for parks maintenance and operation for an agency responsible for 14 percent of the City's land.
State Senator Tony Avella, who represents the area, blamed the city for neglecting tree maintenance.
“It’s unacceptable,” he said. “You can’t keep saying it’s an act of God.”
At a press conference today held near where Yingyi Li-Dikov was killed, Sen. Avella called on the Mayor to suspend the Million Tree Program and instead devote those resources to properly maintain and inspect the existing tree inventory.
"How can the mayor want to plant a million trees if the City cannot even take care of the trees is already has."
Avella has long been a long time critic of the Parks Department's inability and unwillingness to properly maintain city trees and to respond to homeowners requests for tree pruning and tree removals.
"I have been saying for a while now that people's lives are in danger as a result of the current City tree policy," Avella said in a statement.
The Senator also announced much needed legislation which would require the city to contract with a consulting arborist to inspect, diagnose and analyze for defects and disease all public trees and/or tree parts involved in property damage, personal injury or death within 48 hours and for a report to be issued that is publicly available on-line within 30 days of the inspection.
"The resources and the leadership needed so as to provide the Best Management Practices and highest standard possible to maintain the urban tree asset and public safety has been shifted elsewhere, now with consequences," said noted arborist, Carsten Glaeser, PHD from Glaeser Horticultural Consulting.
"Parks & Rec has placed its greater share of resources into new tree plantings by their MillionTree program rather than management activities that would best minimize tree risk to the passing public- especially after storms like Hurricane Sandy," he said.
On July 6th, Martin Novitsky, was struck in the head by a massive falling tree branch while walking on the Boardwalk near Coney Island.
On July 6th, Martin Novitsky, was struck in the head by a massive falling tree branch while walking on the Boardwalk near Coney Island.
Queens Forestry removes the deadly tree this afternoon.
State Senator Tony Avella, (pictured with noted arborist Carsten Glaeser, and Geoffrey Croft, president of NYC Park Advocates) called on the Mayor to suspend the Million Tree Program and instead devote those resources to properly maintain and inspect the existing tree inventory. The Senator also announced much needed legislation meant to track such tree incidents.
Hundreds of dangling tree limbs and dead trees litter the heavily used park. Numerious ones were clearly visible a few feet away from the press conference including this Black Cherry tree. The community has long complained about the Parks Department's lack of tree care in Kissena Park which has jeopardized public safety.
Going... It took only a few hours this afternoon for Queens Forestry to remove a long dead 90-year-old Red Oak tree near where the woman was killed near Parsons and Rose Avenues. "We can't remove them unless we know about them," commented one Forester who admitted they only have a few tree inspectors.
At least one crew member working here responded to the tragic nearby death of Tony Laino, 30, on October 29, 2012 when a street tree came crashing through his second story bedroom during Hurricane Sandy. Numerous people reportedly called 311 to complain that the tree was dangerous and needed to be taken down.
Gone.
Read/View More:
WCBS/1010 WINS - August 6, 2013
New York Daily News - August 5, 2013 - By Nicholle Buckley, Barry Paddock, Jennifer Fermino and Corky Siemaszko
New York Post - August 5, 2013 - By Lia Eustachewich, Sally Goldenberg and Bruce Golding
WCBS - August 5, 2013 - By Alice Gainer
WPIX - August 5, 2013 - By Narmeen Choudhury
WNBC - August 6, 2013 - By Jen Maxfield and Brynn Gingras
WNBC - August 5, 2013 - By Brynn Gingras
New York Daily News - August 5, 2013 - Taylor Flowers
WABC - August 5, 2013 - By Lucy Yang
Pregnant Woman Killed By Tree In Queens Park
A Walk In The Park - August 4, 2013 - By Geoffrey Croft
Woman Struck By Large Branch In East Harlem - 9th Tree Injury In 7 Weeks
New York Times - August 5, 2013 - By SARAH MASLIN NIR
Pregnant Woman Killed By Tree In Queens Park
A Walk In The Park - August 4, 2013 - By Geoffrey Croft
A Walk In The Park - July 30, 2013
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