Winter: 1 - Autumn: 0

What’s wrong with this picture? Hint: The leaves (still mostly green) have yet to fall from the trees during New York’s balmy autumn, but the city is already covered in a thin blanket of snow. More than a couple of people, including those over at Lost City, are both perplexed and pissed at this new seasonal weather pattern that bypasses fall and plunges New York from the humid heights of October into the cool, wet winter of November and December. One can only hope the city’s street trees (many of which don’t seem to realize it’s almost winter) can keep up with the wacky weather.

Luckily the 2005-2006 Tree Census released earlier this year by the Department of Parks and Recreation shows that the majority of New York’s street trees are of the hearty sort–the London Planetree and Norway Maple. The Arbor Day Foundation highlights that the London Planetree’s “attributes were discovered in London where the new hybrid first appeared around 1645. It was found to thrive in the sooty air and provide wonderful shade. Its ability to withstand air pollution, drought and other adversities assures its popularity as an urban tree. Its strong limbs also help make it a good choice where site conditions allow for its large size.” The results from the tree census are below–click on each for more information about each species.

New York City Street Tree Population Percentages
London Planetree: 15.3%
Norway Maple: 14.1%
Callery Pear: 10.9%
Honeylocust: 8.9%
Pin Oak: 7.5%
Littleleaf Linden: 4.7%
Green Ash: 3.5%
Red Maple: 3.5%
Silver Maple: 3.2%
Ginkgo: 2.8%