March 25, 2015 By Michael Florio
Residents were outraged Monday when they discovered a parks department worker cutting down a century old tree on 34th Street.
The Parks Department said the tree showed signs of decay in the trunk and posed a threat of collapsing. But when the tree was cut down, the trunk was in good health.
The residents had argued from the get-go that there was no need for it to come down. They claimed it was perfectly healthy.
One resident, seen in the following CBS video, claimed the department was unnecessarily “killing a tree.”
Many neighbors rallied around the tree in an attempt to save it. However, as CBS reported, one city worker began taunting the residents by cursing and making faces at them.
The parks department said it is investigating the inappropriate language and conduct of the worker in the video,
according to CBS.
The tree served as a landmark for those who lived on this block.
Residents were so upset by the tree’s demise that they even lay a rose on the stump.
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6 Comments
Perhaps they cut the wrong tree down. It can happen. People aren’t perfect.
That tree was the worst. It jutted out into the street. Good riddance
I live on this street and this was one of the most beautiful trees in the entire city. It is a travesty that it was cut down. The Parks Dept should be ashamed of themselves. If anyone has any info on ways to put in a complaint, can you please post it here.
This isn’t the first time I’ve seen trees cut down that look perfectly okay. It has happened on 33st as well. What is maddening is that there are a couple of trees on this block that SHOULD be cut down because of rot. I wonder if someone is getting a kickback for the replacement trees.
Did they seriously put flowers on the stump of the tree? Are you kidding me? These people have nothing to worry about other than a decaying tree getting cut down. And that girl who instigated an argument with the city employee, wonder if she is happy that he is now suspended without pay. He was just doing his job. Some entitled wannabe Astorian gets in his face, he responds and now he has no money to feed his kids, or pay the rent. Good job you POS. ITS A TREE! a decaying, unstable tree!
People, lets focus on important issues concerning our neighborhood.
I live on this street and this was one of the most beautiful trees in the entire city. It is a travesty that it was cut down. The Parks Dept should be ashamed of themselves. If anyone has any info on how to make a complaint, can you please post it here.