A Borough Of Trees 1996-2008
Located between the suburbs of Long Island and the metropolis of New York City, Queens is the largest, most diverse and heavily populated borough in New York. Yet for me Queens holds as its greatest distinction the title "Borough of Trees". With more than two hundreds and seventeen thousand tree representing almost 168 species that inhabit the greater New York area, Queens County is truly a home and haven for trees. The site of the first tree nursery in America some four hundred years ago, Queens has maintained its distinction as the most diverse borough (not only of people, but also of trees). From woodland, to curb side, a tree grows. From the elusive Monkeypuzzle tree, to the familiar Pin Oak, our trees are a constant reminder of significant role this borough has played in the greening of American cities.
I first began to take notice of and make sporadic records of the borough’s tree back in 1998, while photographing the Parks. However my full attention and focus on tree did not surfaced in 2000 at Bowne Park during a snowstorm. There my attention turned from the topography of the landscape to the resilience of the trees that had stood against the elements, undaunted for generation. A year later I learned, through an exhibition at Flushing Town Hall, of the Parsons nursery and of Kissena park being the site of the original Prince and Parson’s nursery which supplied trees to cities all over America even before we were a nation. I was surprised to learn that some of the rarest and oldest trees in North America grow here in queens and that this was once home to the oldest nursery in the country. Questions began to emerge. How many species of trees grow here? How do we manage to keep so many trees growing the borough that is constantly under development? How do trees affect the quality of life for this borough’s two and a quarter million inhabitant? What is future of trees in this Borough? Six years later I am still searching for answers to these questions, as I make weekly excursions through the Borough in search of the next magnificent tree.
I first began to take notice of and make sporadic records of the borough’s tree back in 1998, while photographing the Parks. However my full attention and focus on tree did not surfaced in 2000 at Bowne Park during a snowstorm. There my attention turned from the topography of the landscape to the resilience of the trees that had stood against the elements, undaunted for generation. A year later I learned, through an exhibition at Flushing Town Hall, of the Parsons nursery and of Kissena park being the site of the original Prince and Parson’s nursery which supplied trees to cities all over America even before we were a nation. I was surprised to learn that some of the rarest and oldest trees in North America grow here in queens and that this was once home to the oldest nursery in the country. Questions began to emerge. How many species of trees grow here? How do we manage to keep so many trees growing the borough that is constantly under development? How do trees affect the quality of life for this borough’s two and a quarter million inhabitant? What is future of trees in this Borough? Six years later I am still searching for answers to these questions, as I make weekly excursions through the Borough in search of the next magnificent tree.