Tree hackers are on the loose in Kensington. In the last couple of months, they’ve knocked off five newly planted street trees. On Chester Avenue two new trees are gone: One, mid-block north of Church Avenue, was sawed in half, leaving a stick of a trunk. The other, near the Mosque’s side entrance, is totally gone, its spirit now imprisoned in a cage of steel grates. According to a neighbor, rumor has it that local boys did the trees in.
On the PS 230 playground off Dahill at 12th Avenue, three trees had their branches and leaves amputated, leaving just the trunks. The trees are still alive, vainly sprouting leaf hats on their three maimed stumps.
The NYC Parks & Recreation Department prosecutes tree vandals, if it has witnesses to pinpoint the perps. (One can report any information anonymously to 311.) The fine for destroying NYC property—a street tree belongs to the city, not the property owner—is $1,000 to $4,000, plus the cost of replacing the tree.
According to Jamey Hewitt, Brooklyn Forestry Director, to replace the Chester Avenue trees cost about $1,900 each and would be part of any settlement with the vandals. As a result of its past street-tree planting experience, Parks’ contract with its suppliers includes a two-year clause for damaged tree replacement and covers a one-time replacement for tree vandalism. Mr. Hewitt said these trees would be replanted this fall.
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