New York Today: Nature, Preserved

We have the massive ginkgo in Isham park; maybe it's not the largest or oldest in the city, or even in Manhattan, but it's got a presence. It looms over Broadway and the path up into the park from its proud perch on the hill. At the moment, it's still clinging to a rapidly-thinning crown of yellow leaves. Ginkgoes are an old family, but "The Dinosaur" is taken. I respectfully suggest "The Sauropod."

The entire Forest Hills Gardens neighborhood, with it's assortment of large, beautifully maintained trees, and the oak/beech woods of Forest Park, east of Woodhaven Blvd., immensely enriched the ten years we lived in Forest Hills.
Also, the Queens Giant, a tulip tree in Alley Pond Park, the tallest tree and probably the oldest living thing in the New York metro area, is worth a look.

Sorry to report the demise of a great English elm at the edge of Brooklyn's parade ground, next to a police station along Coney Island Avenue between Caton and Parkside. It died suddenly and stood all summer in that state-- Maybe cut down by now. Happy to read here that the Hangman's elm in Washington Square still survives.

I have to ask: how is "The Dinosaur"'s clone making out? I am always impressed how my wife takes cuttings from this or that plant and starts new ones while the parent lives on. We have a Christmas Cactus that belonged to my mother which we think is 40-50 years old, and which is currently blooming liike mad. My wife has "made" three new little ones from it so far, one of which we gave to my son (Mom's grandson), and they carry on fine. (If treated correctly, of course.)

While Barnard has found a home for its tree, many Barnard students will be going homeless this winter due to Barnard's new housing policy. So sad... but at least the tree looks nice! #HomelessAtBarnard

When Rick and I returned from a week's vacation back 2005, we found four baby trees, planted by the city, in front of our home on Morningside Drive; and three babies across the street. We adopted them by watering them, cleaning their little pits, and, of course talking to them and encouraging them. We also gave them names: the four in front of our building were/are named Kathleen, Barb, Martha, and Pam after me and my sisters; the ones across the street Rick, Tom, and Rob, after Rick and his brothers. We nursed sickly Rob back to health when he had some leaf-losing problems and kept a keen eye on all the "girls" and their relative developments.

We moved three years ago and have "fostered" the two trees in front of our new building, giving them some nice fences and good seasonal plantings, but it's not the same as with the "babies". They don't have names.

Julia Child wasn't from Boston. I can't believe it. Just read her wikipage. She seemed part vichyssoise, martini and Ritz Carlton - et "mais oui' WGBH. I saw her at the bar there, she was very tall and with a big voice, of course. Guess everyone wants her. FABULOUS.

NYC is a vertical cement cave, unfit home for Maggie

The Hare Krishna Tree in Tompkins Square Park, one of several surviving American Elms in the park. (A few have been lost in recent years, including the gravity-defying Bendy Tree.) http://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/tompkins-square-park/highlights/10823

I bought a map called Central Park Entire with which you can locate 19,993 Trees in the park. It was featured in The TImes: http://nyti.ms/1YgesRL

What about the great tulip poplars in Alley Pond Park?

Tatiana, I'm guessing that you spend a good amount of time outdoors. Your weather recap has the passion of someone who is directly affected, and has more than a minimal passing interest. I doubt that your outdoor day consistes of the time walking door to subway, subway to door.

Bad weather is almost a positive, in that we get to read your sarcastic lament. No worry, it is on the way!

Regarding the question at the linked article of how to prepare the tree for the move: You could sing to it. Somehow, the story of Maggie the Magnolia fits so neatly (and without all that much adapting) into the tune of Rod Stewart’s "Maggie May"

Wake up, Maggie,
We’re hoping these words don’t sound too cruel
It's mid-November
And your place will be taken by a school
But no need to feel so blue
‘Cause it isn’t the end of you
Though Maggie you won’t be right there any more
We’re moving you from your home
But you haven’t very far to roam
You stole our heart, so we will not part today

We’ll put a first-class school in your spot
And since you really mean a lot
We’ve found you a spot that’s not too far away