NYC's Reforestation

For centuries, the city’s trees were uprooted with reckless abandon — miles of greenery supplanted by a concrete jungle.

But New York’s trees have made a comeback, and today we’re celebrating.

At a ceremony in Joyce Kilmer Park in the South Bronx, the city will unveil a lacebark elm that marks the culmination its Million Trees NYC campaign.

The Empire State Building will glow forest green to honor the milestone.

When the city last took count, the tree population stood around 5.2 million, with 168 different species, the most common of which was the London plane.

And though we may never know the city’s oldest tree, many point to the so-called Queens Giant in Alley Pond Park.

For those looking to get involved in the city’s reforestation, the Parks Department is hosting a fall stewardship day this Saturday at parks in all five boroughs.