Hattie Carthan in 1978; photo from the New York Public Library. An African American Tree Activist Lived in Brooklyn Washington Square Park Eco Projects Director Georgia Silvera Seamans posted this story on the Brooklyn Botanic Garden blog about Hattie Carthan (1900-1984). Silvera Seamans writes, "[Carthan] [...]
This Old Tree podcast host Doug Still (left) and Council Board Member, arborist and author Jean Zimmerman (right) met with Jack Hale of the Hartford, Connecticut Tree Advisory Commission as part of their extensive exploration into the history, lore, and meaning of the storied Charter Oak, [...]
This Old Tree: Heritage trees and the human stories behind them. Hosted by Doug Still Old trees are awe inspiring links to the past that fire our historical imagination. Ever wonder what their stories are? Seasoned arborist and amateur historian Doug Still interviews local experts, historians, and [...]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ct9iepqScxk&ab_channel=Smarthistory Above: a superb video and conversation between archeologist Dr. Diana Wall and art historian Dr. Steven Zucker about Seneca Village, the predominantly Black community that was razed in the process of creating Central Park. Alex Martin Seneca Village, Central Park, and Considering the Consequences [...]
The beloved shade-giving Washington Square Park English elm tree (Ulmus procera), which provides cavities and foraging for birds, squirrels, and raccoons, among other wildlife. All photos by Georgia Silvera Seamans This is the first in a series by Washington Square Park Eco Projects Director Georgia [...]
This towering black tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica) in Staten Island’s West New Brighton neighborhood (at left, in 1940; at right, in 2020) really caught my attention this season. Although black tupelo generally occupies wet woods habitats, it can thrive under a variety of soil conditions. I’m gratified [...]
Welcome to Part One of Council Cofounder Nancy Wolf’s meticulously researched and lively How it Happened: New York ReLeaf A Brief History of Urban Forestry in the United States and the Creation of the New York State Program Part 1 of 2 Answering questions such as: How does [...]
Pat Tobin in 2014 accepting Tree City USA recognition for Fayetteville, which has been a Tree City USA for nearly 20 years, thanks in no small part to Pat’s efforts. With Pat is NYSDEC Urban Forestry Partnerships Coordinator Sally Kellogg. Beloved Council Past President (2006-2009) [...]
Intro and photos by Michelle Sutton What does it all mean? The tree collections in cemeteries and memorial parks are key contributors to the beauty, diversity, and ecological services of the urban forest. Since I was a teenager, I’ve loved wandering cemeteries and [...]
As mentioned in the previous post, Jill Jonnes’s heralded 2016 book, Urban Forests: A Natural History of Trees and People in the American Cityscape, is a key resource for educating and inspiring ourselves, our fellow citizens, and our legislators as we seek to protect our urban forests. Here’s a review. [...]