Gift Trees Planting Project – New York

Project Description

This Gift Tree Planting Project is in New York City, New York in the area around Kissena Park, Queens. This project is part of The Gifted Tree’s urban forestry projects where donations, instead of planting individual trees, will help plant groves of trees in urban areas – neighborhood parks, schools, and urban campuses. The trees planted are more mature in their growth cycle and average 3-6 feet in height when planted helping to ensure long-term survivability and the ability to thrive in this urban area setting.

Kissena Park is a heavily utilized park surrounded by the highly urbanized neighborhood of Flushing. The area has lost a lot of tree canopy over the last several years due to wind and flooding from severe storms including Superstorm Sandy. The project will help restore a forested natural area in a heavily utilized park, helping to advance park equity and ensuring local residents have access to healthy, nearby nature. These natural forested areas are powerhouses for providing ecosystem services such as air pollution removal, stormwater pollution capture, carbon sequestration, and urban heat regulation, and form essential green infrastructure for a healthy, vibrant community.

Many species will be planted to develop a diverse and resilient forest and include Maple, Birch, Juniper, Oak, and Pine, all native to the area. Your trees will be part of a healthy forest system and will protect biodiversity, creating habitat for migrating birds and pollinators. Additionally, your trees will provide social benefits, allowing the community residents the opportunity to experience and enjoy their natural space and the resulting health benefits that open green space provides.