Midtown Got Greener But Still Lacks Trees, New Study Shows

MIDTOWN MANHATTAN, NY — Midtown's concrete jungle got a bit greener in recent years, but still has a long way to go to catch up to other, leafier neighborhoods, according to a new study.

The first-of-its-kind report by the Nature Conservancy used three-dimensional imaging research done by the city to map the amount of land covered by overhead tree canopy. It found that between 2010 and 2017, New York's tree coverage grew by more than 3,200 acres, or about 1.7 percent.

Broken down by neighborhood, Midtown and Hell's Kitchen all gained at least some tree coverage, but the amount varies. Hell's Kitchen had the biggest increase, growing its canopy by about two percent from 2010 to 2017 — a net gain of eight acres.

On the other end of the spectrum, Midtown South — the city-designated area running from 26th to 59th streets, between Eighth and Park avenues — barely added any tree coverage: just 2.3 acres, or a net gain of 0.3 percent.

The data shows Midtown lagging behind other Manhattan neighborhoods, like Central Harlem, whose tree coverage jumped by 37 acres in the same period. That gap has real consequences: study researchers told THE CITY that trees play a key role in urban equity, helping to lower temperatures, convert carbon dioxide into oxygen and absorb rainwater.

Erik Bottcher, the incoming Councilmember for the district covering much of Midtown and Hell's Kitchen, told Patch on Friday that he plans to take a major step toward greenifying the neighborhood, setting a goal of planting 1,000 new street trees in the next eight years. (As it stands, the district has about 8,200.)

"A thousand new street trees will have an immensely positive impact on our neighborhoods," Bottcher said in a statement, adding that he would allocate his office's discretionary funds toward achieving the goal.

"Trees are more than just aesthetic: they absorb pollution and noise, reduce stormwater runoff, and provide needed shade during the summer months."

The work would build off a program that Bottcher spearheaded in Council Speaker Corey Johnson's office, which has resulted in nearly 700 trees being planted.

Room to grow

Indeed, despite their sparse forests, this week's study also suggests Midtown and Hell's Kitchen have room to grow. Measured by "stocking rate" — the percentage of each neighborhood's total street-tree capacity being taken up by living plants — Midtown South ranks at the very bottom of the citywide pack, using up just 34 percent of its available space. (Hell's Kitchen performs better, using about 77 percent.)

While Midtown and Hell's Kitchen made only modest gains, some neighborhoods were even less fortunate. Waterfront areas of Southern Brooklyn and Queens, like Coney Island, Canarsie and the Rockaways, lost much of their tree canopies during those eight years due to flooding from Superstorm Sandy.

Another notable area that lost trees in that span: Central Park, which experienced a 2.9 percent drop in its canopy coverage, amounting to a net loss of 25 acres.

A spokesperson for the Central Park Conservancy told Patch that the loss could be attributed to extreme weather — including Sandy, the 2011 Halloween snowstorm and Hurricane Irene.

Invasive species have also played a role, like the Emerald ash borer, which threatens the park's ash trees; and Dutch elm disease, which is caused by a fungus and spread by beetles.

"Central Park's tree canopy is healthy and well cared for by the Central Park Conservancy's tree care team," said spokesperson Arica VanBoxtel, adding that New Yorkers could help the park stay healthy by staying on walking paths and not stepping on exposed tree roots.

Here's the tree-data breakdown for each Midtown neighborhood, based on city Neighborhood Tabulation Areas:

Clinton (Hell's Kitchen):

• Canopy net gain (2010-2017): 8.27 acres, 1.96 percent
• Number of trees (2015): 1,887
• Stocking rate (2015): 77.75%
• Most common tree: Honey locust

Midtown South:

• Canopy net gain (2010-2017): 2.34 acres, 0.34 percent
• Number of trees (2015): 1,136
• Stocking rate (2015): 34.55%
• Most common tree: Honey locust

Murray Hill/Kips Bay:

• Canopy net gain (2010-2017): 2.90 acres, 0.87 percent
• Number of trees (2015): 1,658
• Stocking rate (2015): 79.18%
• Most common tree: Honey locust

Turtle Bay/East Midtown:

• Canopy net gain (2010-2017): 5.13 acres, 1.28 percent
• Number of trees (2015): 2,162
• Stocking rate (2015): 79.08%
• Most common tree: Honey locust

Read the full "Future Forest NYC" study at the Nature Conservancy website.