Project Overview
Myrtle Avenue is serious about trees. Street trees not only bring an aesthetic appeal to the commercial strip, but also play an important role in filtering the air and providing shady respite from the afternoon sun. The Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Business Improvement District (BID)’s street tree stewardship program entails both protecting existing trees and planting additional trees. The BID identifies and requests locations for new trees, waters young trees, aerates and mulches tree beds, weed tree beds, prune dead and low branches, and takes inventory of Myrtle Avenue’s street tree stock.
Project History
The project started with requests for new trees and watering young trees. In 20xx, the BID embarked on a large capital project to expand xx Myrtle Avenue street tree pits to the city’s new 5’x8′ standard. The larger tree pits allow more air and water to penetrate the root zone and provide more space for mature trees to grow. The expanded tree pits allowed the BID to create a uniform tree guard design (internal link) for Myrtle Avenue.
Later, efforts went toward caring for the tree beds themselves, be aerating and adding mulch regularly. Since 2011, the project has expanded to incorporate minor tree pruning (up to 15′ off the ground).
Accomplishments
- Since 2005, requested and received 53 new street trees (planted by the NYC Parks Department)
- Since 2008, watered an average of 46 young trees each summer
- Aerate and mulch tree pits regularly, about once every two years
- Removed Belgian blocks from 34 tree pits (these blocks reduce air/water flow and increase soil compaction)
- Installed 40 custom tree guards
- Pruned 88 trees in 2011-12
- Completed extensive tree and tree pit inventory in 2011
Project Funders
- Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Business Improvement District (BID)
- New York City Department of Parks and Recreation
Related Projects
Further Reading
Recent News
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