Plant A Tree

How much does a Tree cost?
How does a Tree get planted?
How to Obtain a Street Tree
How to obtain a Tree Guard
Tree Care
Become a Citizen Tree Pruner

How much does a Tree cost?
In 2008, the average cost of a street tree was $750.00 and included the tree, its planting and a one year guarantee. Additional expenses might include the digging of a tree pit or a wrought iron tree guard should you desire one. The Fund will make arrangements for the pit and the tree guard and will supervise the work. These costs are also tax deductible.

How does a tree get planted?
The Tree Fund can assist and advise you in this process. Please feel free to contact us:

Dick Van Bolt 718.625.2919
Tom Synnott 718.834.9083
Georgia Willett 718.237.1585

By New York City law, trees may not be planted in the following locations:

• within 25 feet of another tree
• within 5 feet of a fire hydrant
• within 2 feet of a gas line
• within 20 feet of a corner
• within a bus stop

If you are unsure about the site, the Fund will be pleased to help you. Normally, by the end of November the new trees will have been planted. If the site has a tree pit with a stump, please contact us.

How to Obtain a Street Tree
There are three ways to get a tree:

1. Request a free tree from the Parks Department, through Community Board 6.

a) Obtain a Street Tree Planting Form from the Community Board or from its website (CB6 Street Tree Planting request form).

b) Or, call Community Board 6 at (718) 643-3027 and request they send you a form. Submit the completed form to CB-6. (Requests are collected and sent to the Parks Department where they are prioritized. The priority depends upon Parks’ planting schedule.)

Note: The advantage of this approach is that there is no cost. The disadvantages are: There is no assurance that the requested tree-type will be planted. Delays of 12 to 18 months are possible according to CB-6 and the Parks Dept.

2. Obtaining a tree through the Cobble Hill Tree Fund
The CHTF will discuss appropriate tree-types with the building owner and the CHTF will obtain the agreed upon tree. The CHTF will supervise the planting which will be done by a Parks Dept. approved nursery and guaranteed for one year. The CHTF will obtain a permit from the Parks Department

Note: The advantage of this is the potential delay is minimized and the homeowner will have more choice of trees. The main disadvantage is that there will be an out-of-pocket cost. However, the CHTF is normally able to cover half the cost making the cost to a homeowner about $350. This cost is moreover deductible as a charitable contribution.

The Cobble Hill Tree Fund is happy to provide advice on appropriate tree-types, obtaining a permit, and tree care. To obtain more information and permit forms, contact the CHTF through either of the individuals below.

Dick Van Bolt 718.625.2919
Tom Synnott 718.834.9083
Georgia Willett 718.237.1585

3. Obtaining a tree through the New York Tree Trust Program
If anyone wants to donate trees to be planted on the street or in selected NYC Parks, the process is very simple: please call Jamie Daugherty at 718-760-6911, or email her at jamielyn.daugherty@parks.nyc.gov to get started, and she will guide you through the tree and site selection process. The current minimum donation for one tree (including cutting/excavation of the tree bed in the sidewalk, a range of species choices, granite paving blocks (if desired), and a 2-year guarantee) is $1,800. This is a 501(c)(3), tax-deductible donation to City Parks Foundation, fiscal sponsor of the New York Tree Trust. They cannot guarantee planting the exact species in the exact spot that a donor selects, but they will do their best to accommodate given the existing conditions.

How to obtain a Tree Guard
The CHTF can assist you in obtaining a tree guard. Please contact us through either of the individuals below.

Dick Van Bolt 718.625.2919
Tom Synnott 718.834.9083

Tree Care
How to keep your tree healthy and happy all year round. To stay healthy and growing, street trees need people. Here are some ways you can help.

• Water regularly (once or twice in the Spring, 2-3 times a week during hot, dry weather) using 6 to 8 gallons of water at a time. Buckets of water are best as they allow you to gauge the amount of water you are using. Good soaking also allow the water to reach the roots where it does the most good.

• Fertilizer and lime may be helpful. Please contact the Fund for assistance on the correct amounts as over-doing it is harmful to the tree. Loosen the top 2 inches of the soil around your tree on a regular basis. This is done with a rake or a garden claw and allows air and water to reach the roots of your tree more easily.
  

• Salt will kill trees. In winter, use cat litter, sand or commercial non-salt de-icer instead of salt on sidewalks.

• Pruning Trees for proper shaping and for preventing broken, diseased or dead branches from causing decay is very important. However, healthy pruning takes some expertise which members of the Fund can provide for young trees only.

• Put a tree guard around the tree to protect the tree from cars and other damage. Please contact us for more information.

• Plant shallow-rooted plants such as impatiens, wax begonias, English and Baltic ivy around your established tree.

• Turn and loosen the soil. Once or twice a year, turn several trowels of peat, moss, compost and dehydrated cow manure into the tree pit to create a more spongy growing medium.

• For more information, you can check out our Resources page.

Become a Citizen Tree Pruner
To obtain further information about the course registration, contact the New York City Tree Consortium.

Trees New York
51 Chambers Street, Ste 1412A
New York, 10007
212-227-1887
www.treesny.com

Cobble Hill Tree Fund Brochure (printable PDF)