For the first time since 1985, the New York City Parks Department released an updated “Great Trees of New York City”, honoring trees in the Bronx, and throughout the city. Sixty-one trees were selected from over 270 trees nominated by New Yorkers for their historic, botanical, or cultural significance.
“New York City’s trees represent a critical part of the cultural and historical fabric of our neighborhoods and communities, and it is a joy to release the final product of hundreds of proud and engaged New Yorkers submitting their nominations for the trees they love,” said New York City Department of Parks & Recreation Commissioner Sue Donoghue.
The list honored trees in the Bronx like the American Elm tree in Mapes Park which galvanized the community to advocate for saving the tree during the park’s renovation. The list also recognized the American Linden tree in Joyce Kilmer Park. This tree was the final tree planted as part of the MillionTreesNYC project on Nov. 20, 2015.
The MillionTreesNYC initiative, launched in 2007 by former Mayor Michael Bloomberg, served as a blueprint for efforts to increase the number of trees in cities all over the world, according to NYC Parks.
Increasing urban trees has important benefits on the individual and the community level. Spending more time in forested areas can boost a person’s immune system, lower blood pressure, reduce stress and improve focus, according to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. On the community level, urban trees can improve air quality, reduce urban heat islands, and decrease energy usage in buildings, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
In FY2024, NYC Parks planted 18,000 trees across the city, a record number of trees, according to NYC Parks. The Adams administration set a goal of 30% tree cover throughout the five boroughs and with $136 million investment in the 2023 budget, NYC parks plans on planting trees in the hottest NYC neighborhoods by 2027.
The city has opportunities for New Yorkers to become stewards of green spaces with lists of upcoming projects in green spaces in each borough and links to sign up. Bronxites can also use the NYC Tree Map to view the different species and locations of trees across the borough and the city.
