Dozens Of New Trees Planted On Hudson Square Streets

HUDSON SQUARE, MANHATTAN — The number of trees lining Hudson Square streets has grown yet again thanks to a program by the local business improvement district and the city.

The Hudson Square Business Improvement District announced this week that they partnered with the city's Parks Department again to bring back their urban forestry program and 28 new trees to the neighborhood.

The program, called Hudson Square Standard, is an award-winning approach to planting trees in pits set up on the sidewalk's concrete that ensures they will be sustainable and live long, officials said.

"Our city’s street trees are a vital resource, and planting them the correct way can greatly increase their chances of survival," NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver said. "We are proud to have partnered with the Hudson Square Business Improvement District on the Hudson Square Standard project, and encourage all New Yorkers to be conscientious stewards of our vast urban forest."

The latest chapter of the program brought the total number of newly planted or retrofitted trees in Hudson Square to 278. Hudson Square BID started the program in 2013.

The program uses expanded tree pits, structural soil and permeable pavement so that the trees can capture more storm-water runoff and reduce carbon dioxide, officials said.

"When the trees reach full maturation, they will have significant annual environmental and health benefits," the BID said.

The fully grown trees will reduce about 122,320 pounds of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, produce 14,178 pounds of oxygen and reduce the overall ambient temperature during the hot summer months, they added. In doing so, they will improve the general air quality of the neighborhood.