Press Release: 10/14 Forest Hills Tree Giveaway Will Be A Colorful Opportunity This Autumn

Contact: Michael Perlman
Four Borough Neighborhood Preservation Alliance

Rego-Forest Preservation Council

unlockthevault@hotmail.com

For Immediate Release

10/14 Forest Hills Tree Giveaway Will Be A Colorful Opportunity This Autumn
 

NYC's 5 Boroughs (October 2012) - This autumn, the boroughs are about to become greener with a splash of color. The Four Borough Neighborhood Preservation Alliance will hold its third tree giveaway event in Forest Hills, which will be the first of its kind in the fall. On Sunday, October 14 from 1 PM – 3 PM, citywide residents will have the chance to line up in MacDonald Park on Queens Boulevard and 70^th Avenue, and adopt one of the unique 100 trees to take home and plant on private property. To make this event possible, Four Borough Neighborhood Preservation Alliance (4BNPA) is in partnership with MillionTreesNYC and New York Restoration Project (NYRP). Toyota is a lead sponsor, and lead partners are NYRP, plaNYC, and NYC Parks.

Mike Mitchell, NYRP Community Initiative Coordinator explained, “Forging long-lasting, inter-city relationships are the best way to develop a sense of community in New York City. NYRP is very excited about our third giveaway with 4BNPA. The commitment 4BNPA has shown for improving our urban environment is amazing, and we hope 4BNPA continues to push the envelope when it comes to expanding NYC’s urban tree canopy.”

NYRP began coordinating tree giveaways in 2008. Inspiration stemmed from the understanding that MillionTreesNYC was focused on greening public spaces, but private homes, religious institutions, and community gardens also represent a great portion of the city, and therefore merits tree-planting.

On September 16, 2010, parts of Queens, Brooklyn, and Staten Island experienced a rare macroburst. Joseph Bruno of the NYC Office of Emergency Management reported 3,113 fallen Queens trees. As Queens VP of the Four Borough Neighborhood Preservation Alliance Corporation and a native Forest Hills resident, Michael Perlman documented the local devastation, submitted a proposal to NYRP, and developed a bond. Furthermore, Hurricane Irene contributed to the loss of trees citywide in August 2011.

4BNPA agreed to host its first tree giveaway event on June 12, 2011 and its second giveaway on May 20, 2012, where 100 trees and 245 trees were donated, respectively. Volunteers from Rego-Forest Preservation Council also played a dominant role. With a major emphasis on donating native tree species at the second event, it helped restore the natural and historic beauty locally and beyond. 

Perlman explained, "Many community residents did not realize the benefits of trees, until some of which were a century-old succumbed in seconds during natural disasters. Trees convey life, beauty, contribute to environmental sustainability, and enhance property values. MacDonald Park was once again selected as the event site, in order to shed light upon a concentrated space which lost sixty mature trees during the tornado, and to initiate memories of productive community events. Forest Hills was one of the greatly damaged neighborhoods, and the Four Borough Neighborhood Preservation Alliances seeks to restore its 'forest' factor, as a case in point."

 Most common trees in the boroughs include Gingko, Honey Locust, Callery Pear, Oak, and Sycamore. Many graceful Maple and Elm trees that gracefully lined streets succumbed due to the Asian Longhorn Beetle and Dutch Elm disease, respectively, so it is urgent to maintain surviving trees. To diversify the tree population, four unique species will now be available, which are American Beech, Serviceberry, Common Witch Hazel, and Black Walnut.  
 

James A. Trent, President of the Four Borough Neighborhood Preservation Alliance Foundation, explained, “This endeavor is consistent with the borough-wide movement toward ecological sensitivity. Four Borough's involvement is a great event, since our mission is to preserve and improve the quality of life for low-density neighborhoods. Some trees may end up in highly dense neighborhoods, but that is not a problem, since none of us live in a vacuum. Trees improve air quality and beautify the city for all.”

With much enthusiasm, Mitchell stated, “This fall, New Yorkers not only get to take a tree home, but they get to see the urban nature in its most festive state.” On October 14, those who wish to adopt a potted tree should line up before 1 PM at MacDonald Park. In advance, tree adopters may reserve their tree online at www.nyrp.org/QueensTrees

Photos

Oct 2012 Tree Giveaway: http://www.flickr.com/photos/8095451@N08/sets/72157631726378478/
May 2012 Tree Giveaway: http://www.flickr.com/photos/8095451@N08/sets/72157629808414806/
June 2011 Tree Giveaway: http://www.flickr.com/photos/8095451@N08/sets/72157626715360082

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