May 17 Forest Hills Tree Giveaway To Donate 1,250th Tree To The Public

For Immediate Release

Contact: Michael Perlman

Forest Hills Tree Giveaway, Coordinator
Four Borough Neighborhood Preservation Alliance

Rego-Forest Preservation Council, Chair

Reserve a tree in advance at www.treegiveaways.com/4bnpa

Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ForestHillsTreeGiveaways

unlockthevault@hotmail.com   

May 17th Forest Hills Tree Giveaway To Donate 1,250^th Tree

QUEENS, NY (May 2015) - As spring is in full swing, the Forest Hills Tree Giveaway has become a community tradition in MacDonald Park on Queens Boulevard and 70^th Avenue.  Locals among citywide residents will line up in the park on Sunday, May 17 between 1 PM and 3 PM, and take home a small tree or perhaps a few among 200 free trees. Adopters will then plant their tree(s) in their residential front yard or backyard, at an apartment building with permission, in a schoolyard, or at their commercial property. 

The Forest Hills Tree Giveaway, which is held annually in May and periodically in October, will be the seventh event since 2011, bringing the total of adopted trees to an approximate 1,250. Adopters can select from 5 tree species, which consist of American Elm, Yellowwood, Fringe Tree, Red Buckeye, and Dawn Redwood. This will add to the diversity of trees donated at earlier events, where names included Black Gum, Magnolia, and Tulip.

Flashback: Capturing the essence of the May 2014 Forest Hills Tree Giveaway 

“These are great native trees that provide shade, food and shelter to animals, or tend to offer classic shapes such as the ‘V’ of the American Elm,” said Mike Mitchell, New York Restoration Project (NYRP) Director of Giveaways. He continued, “A stately excurrent growth pattern can be found in the Dawn Redwood with its red, peeling bark, and stunning flowers can be observed on the Fringe Tree, Yellowwood, and Red Buckeye.” 

This event is made possible through Four Borough Neighborhood Preservation Alliance (4BNPA) in partnership with NYRP and MillionTreesNYC. Lead sponsors are Toyota and TD Bank, and lead partners are plaNYC, NYC Parks, and NYRP. A supporting sponsor is jetBlue. Volunteers are derived from the 4BNPA, Rego-Forest Preservation Council, and Trylon Vet Care.

NYRP began coordinating tree giveaways in 2008. As of 2011, 4BNPA had the mission of advocating for landmarks and curbing overdevelopment, but then realized how environmental preservation is a significant complement to the city’s architectural achievements, which led to their partnership. Preservationist Michael Perlman became the Forest Hills Tree Giveaway coordinator. Perlman stated, “After the spring 2015 tree giveaway season ends, the quantity of citywide donated trees since the founding of the giveaway program will be somewhat greater than 50,000, which is a miracle within itself.” 

Perlman explained, “As extreme weather patterns intensified in recent years with a macroburst and two hurricanes, numerous trees succumbed within seconds. Despite loss, it helped influence communities to preserve mature trees and plant new ones.” The extensive range of benefits associated with trees include enhancing property values, marking a community’s history, offering a serene and colorful setting, capturing stormwater, reducing runoff, filtering and cooling the air, and conserving energy.  

NYRP remains committed toward adding new tree species to the varied tree canopy of the 5 boroughs. Mitchell said, “Diversity in NYC is very important because of the risk of disease and pests. Having a lower percentage of all tree species in our city means we can avoid a single issue creating the terrible side effects of losing tree canopy, like an increase in summertime temperatures or stormwater runoff events.”  

Inspirational stories are often linked to tree giveaway events. Mitchell explained, “My daughter Wren Mitchell was born in April 2014, and this year we finally moved to an apartment with a backyard that our landlord allowed us to landscape. In honor of her birthday, we planted four trees, and each was planted with the help of my parents, my wife, and her parents.” He continued, “What a great way to gather and celebrate our daughter by planting trees that will grow throughout her lifetime.”

At the tree giveaway, adopters are routinely photographed with their trees. Additionally, tree adoption certificates name trees after local landmarks, historic streets, and notables, which helps foster a relationship among adopters and their trees.

“We expect that within thirty years, after most of the trees have grown to maturity, there could be more than 10 acres of tree canopy established in Forest Hills and Rego Park alone from 4BNPA’s efforts,” said Mitchell.

On May 17, 2015, those who wish to adopt a potted tree should line up earlier than 1 PM in MacDonald Park.

The public can reserve a tree by visiting www.treegiveaways.com/4bnpa or by registering for a tree at the event on a first-come, first-served basis.

“Like” Forest Hills Tree Giveaways on Facebook:  www.facebook.com/ForestHillsTreeGiveaways

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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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May 20 Tree Giveaway A Blooming Success In Forest Hills!

Enjoy the flickr set for the May 20, 2012 Four Borough Neighborhood Preservation Alliance Tree Giveaway Event, which was held in MacDonald Park in Forest Hills. The 4BNPA teamed up with New York Restoration Project and volunteers from Rego-Forest Preservation Council to donate 245 trees to private property owners. The flickr set documents the event, the adoptees, and some of the trees which found new homes:

http://bit.ly/2012TreeGiveaway4BNPA     

 GO GREEN and restore our neighborhood's natural and historic beauty!

NYC Trees Need Your Help - Any Sum Makes A Great Difference!

A common picture of Hurricane Irene's devastation. Photo courtesy of MillionTrees NYC

When Hurricane Irene hit the eastern seaboard in late August 2011, it was responsible for the loss of over 2,000 trees, according to Million Trees NYC.

Backtracking, the tornado in Sept 2010 was responsible for at last 3,100 fallen trees in our borough, not to mention those damaged significantly. Our trees are an aesthetically & environmentally beneficial component, as well as historic component of all neighborhoods citywide. They become members of our extended family.

Fortunately, Million Trees NYC is the face behind an endeavor to raise funding for the replacement of the loss trees throughout NYC's 5 boroughs. Please consider donating to assist NYC street and park trees, or to assist tree planting on private property such as schools, and housing. This is a noble cause, so please take a few moments to also spread the word. Even a few dollars would be appreciated: 

http://milliontreesnyc.org/html/donate/donate.shtml

One of the few remaining historic Elm trees in Central Queens, which survived the tornado but not the hurricane. It sustained a large collapsed limb, which damaged the trunk. Sadly, this 7-story graceful Elm tree, which was at least 60 years old & was loved by many local residents, was taken down within days. All that remains is barely a stump on the corner of the Howard Apts on 66th Rd off the north side of Queens Blvd. Perhaps routine pruning would have paid off, & the tree would have still been around today. Photo by Michael Perlman, Rego-Forest Preservation Council.

The purple oasis of Cherry Plum trees was compromised at Parker Towers along Queens Blvd in Forest Hills. Let's hope these trees will be resurrected. Photo by Michael Perlman, Rego-Forest Preservation Council

 

A once bold Maple tree, which provided much beauty & shade in Forest Hills' Federoff Triangle falls. Photo by Michael Perlman, Rego-Forest Preservation Council.

Forest Hills' historic MacDonald Park was struck again, after losing around 70 trees during last year's tornado. This tree was likely planted by volunteers when MacDonald Park received some upgrades in the 1980s. A tree we will miss. Photo by Michael Perlman, Rego-Forest Preservation Council.