Meet the Trees of Riverside Park
I don’t know trees. From my years in Texas, I can recognize a magnolia and a crape myrtle. I know a maple only from its leaves, a weeping willow from its droop, and cherries when they’re in bloom. That’s about it. But identifying trees in Riverside Park just got easier.
Meet Chris from the NYC Parks Department.
Chris was recently spotted on the upper path, driving a green golf cart-like vehicle packed with stepladder, hammer, nails and neatly stacked piles of green metal name tags. Accompanying her were two gentlemen from the Riverside Park Fund, armed with tree identification books. The trio graciously explained that they’re creating a tree trail up to 116th Street.
Here’s Chris tagging a black cherry.
Here’s the tag:
And now … meet the trees, proudly sporting brand-new name tags.

Black Cherry

Norway Maple
- Maidenhair
Thanks, Chris.
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February 2, 2010 at 5:12 pm
Lovely idea, great post. Must be that the nails won’t harm the trees?? I’ve come via Festival of the Trees & will visit your site again to travel NYC through your eyes & words.
February 2, 2010 at 6:22 pm
Thanks. Jacqueline. I’m enjoying hearing from Festival of Trees visitors. I will stop by your post as well.
February 2, 2010 at 9:39 am
Greetings from misty South Wales, UK! I really enjoyed your tree post, and learning the names with you.
February 2, 2010 at 8:29 am
Are the trees of Central Park getting more labels too? I feel a dearth of labels on the West Side especially. So many anonymous spectacular trees! Tree tour anyone?
February 2, 2010 at 8:39 am
Gee, I don’t know. Maybe studies have determined that we’re just more in need of arboreal enlightenment over here by the river. Or maybe, tucked away in Central Park, there are tree trails with i.d. tags. Hmmm. I’ll see what I can find out.
February 1, 2010 at 9:59 pm
That is a nice idea….my tree post is…
Herbie The Elm Tree