Tree Pits in NYC: More Than a Tree Spot

Design and InstallationGarden Caregarden TriviaPlant Health Care
Written By Peter Morris

The urban walkway

Side walks in New York can be narrow and sometimes tricky to maneuver.  But they can also be like an obstacle course !  Between dogs on leashes, strollers, dog doo doo, chalk drawings, sidewalk sales and the odd person extoling the virtues of commitment to - well - almost anything ! Its a wonder you can get going down the street !

Most people hurry along and meld into the white noise of the city.  What many may not notice - but should - is the amount of greenery in this urban jungle - trees, flowers, grasses, shrubs, annuals & perennials.  Especially in the tree pits and front entrance gardens to building.

Common entrance street garden

Tree pits

Tree pits are the rectangle or square patch of soil around a tree on a sidewalk.  It allows for the tree to get water and nutrients to its roots which are buried below the concrete sidewalk that you are walking on.

Pits are many times surrounded by fencing to keep pets out. There are guidelines for installing guards on one and it can vary from area to area within New York City.  For example the fencing around a pit can not obstruct a door opening on the street side - so they should be 3 sided !

For the most up to date information you can call NYC Parks on 718 361 8101.

This fencing is illegal - and has to be fixed or the owner will get a fine !

The competitive patch

The little spot of ground around the tree becomes the urban dwellers opportunity to beautify ! From permanent installations - like the mini boxwood hedges on the borders - or seasonal displays of color.

It is sometimes a very competitive game between buildings and residents to see who can beautify the sidewalk more !

These spring bulbs were planted in the fall as bulbs !

Summertime splash!

This fall splendor in color contrast

Elegant and simple cut greens display for winter 

For permanent & seasonal displays in front of buildings in New York City - tree pits included!

Call Plant Specialists TODAY !

Don't delay – the sooner the better !

GREENING NEW YORK FOR OVER 52 YEARS !

Article written by our Staff Horticulturist, Peter B Morris, BSc, MSc, MBA

All photographs used with permission from our own customers gardens as well as @SHUTTERSTOCK

Peter Morris

Peter was born and raised on a beautiful green island in the midst of a tropical rainforest. He was introduced into the world of plants at the age of six when his grandmother, an avid Spanish gardener herself, asked him to help her grow seeds for her pepper garden. He was hooked! By the time he was a teen, he had his own rose and orchid collection numbering in the hundreds. Botany was in his blood, and that is what he set out to study.

His passion brought him to NY in the late seventies to further his education. His tenacity allowed him to work full time at Plant Specialists while he completed a MS in Plant Biology. As a manager at the time he felt unsatisfied with his knowledge of business and business processes. Peter felt compelled to learn, so he then pursued and completed an MBA in Quality Management within a few short years.

Peter’s other passion is teaching. His natural ability is quickly consumed by our staff in all subjects in Botany, Horticulture, and Landscaping. He created an immense reference library of more than 3,500 plants providing an invaluable resource for our staff.

Peter’s breadth of knowledge and wisdom allows him to effectively diagnose the needs of plants. Sometimes just by walking into a garden he can create a prescription that fixes even the hardest issue. He is our Staff Botanist, Diagnostician, and all around Mentor. Recently, he has put his immense knowledge and skills into developing a new department that focuses on Plant Healthcare. As he puts it, “Magic through Science”. The PHC staff that surround him have avidly consumed his teachings. Substantially developing their own plant wisdom, many have taken on difficult plant health issues with spectacular results.

Plant Healthcare has been an instant success with customers! The proper treatment of insects and diseases including Organic methods has made pest control a necessity for every plant. Correcting hormonal imbalances caused by planting in containers or refurbishing soils leached of nutrients by irrigation systems are big challenges PHC has become quite comfortable addressing. The scientific approach to the complex demands of keeping plants healthy in our harsh city environment has made many a customer say WOW!

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