Before this September, only one tree grew on Brooklyn’s Manhattan Avenue between Driggs and Greenpoint Avenues. This tree, a Chinese elm, is located at 596 Manhattan Avenue between Driggs and Nassau Avenues, according to NYC Tree Map.
Then, during the second week of September, that number increased to 41 trees. This is thanks to NYC Council Member Lincoln Restler.
Restler knows the benefits that street trees bring. They reduce pollutants and storm water runoff, the shade they cast lowers area temperature and therefore energy bills, and they lessen greenhouse gases by storing carbon dioxide are some of the benefits. In November of 2022, Restler initiated a committed effort to plant 3400 street trees in his council district by the end of 2026. District 33 contains all of Greenpoint, The Brooklyn Navy Yard, and Vinegar Hill, in addition to parts of: Northside Williamsburg, South Williamsburg, Brooklyn Heights, Downtown Brooklyn, DUMBO, Boerum Hill, and Bedford-Stuyvesant. The trees along Manhattan Avenue are additional to the 3400.
A reason given for the lack of trees on that stretch of street is that the G Train runs along underneath Manhattan Avenue and it houses two stations (Nassau Avenue and Greenpoint Avenue). Deep container planters were used to troubleshoot this issue.
In addition to the cost of the trees and planters, Restler’s office funded The Horticulture Society of New York (The Hort) to plant and maintain the Manhattan Avenue Trees. Flowers and other greenery were also planted in the containers.
The Hort creates and maintains planted spaces in public spaces and therapeutic and learning sites throughout NYC. In North Brooklyn, they tend to the planters in Berry Open Street, a streetscape at Grand Street and Manhattan Avenue, several local schools, and more.
When considering the design of the planters, The Hort needed something with height enough to develop healthy root growth. The height will also add some protection for the tree and companion plants, as its too tall to be accessible for seating. “The trees themselves will cast shade and create a cooler environment on this block and an overall nicer feel to the neighborhood. You love a tree-lined street,” said Samantha Weiss the contracts manager of The Hort.
“Trees do so much to cool down our communities on the hottest days, to mitigate flooding, to improve our air quality. I am so happy that Manhattan Avenue is finally getting trees and some shade to make Greenpoint even better,” said Restler.
Currently, there are about six to eight trees added in between each street from Driggs Avenue to Greenpoint Avenue. Restler states more trees will be added.
