Quality of Life

Sustainibility

Our sustainability initiatives are designed to maintain our streetscape and improve the resiliency of our neighborhood trees for a greener and healthier Carnegie Hill.

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At Carnegie Hill Neighbors, we know that caring for our trees means caring for our community. Tree-lined streets are more than just beautiful—they’re linked to lower crime rates, stronger neighborhood identity, and a deep sense of local pride.

Trees improve our air by filtering pollutants and releasing oxygen, benefiting every resident who walks our streets. They also reduce stress, support mental health, and invite more outdoor activity—making Carnegie Hill not just healthier, but more vibrant.

Healthy trees provide vital habitats for birds, pollinators, and other wildlife, supporting urban biodiversity at a time when it’s more important than ever. They help manage stormwater by soaking up rain and preventing sewer overflow, and they cool our blocks by offering shade and lowering air temperatures—fighting back against the urban heat island effect.

Simply put, tree care is essential to preserving the health, safety, and beauty of our neighborhood.

Tree Guards

Tree guards are more than just a barrier—they’re a powerful tool for urban transformation. By shielding street trees from foot traffic, dog waste, and sidewalk clutter, tree guards help our city’s greenery grow stronger and live longer.

They enhance soil health, prevent erosion, and create room for mulch, flowers, and native plants—bringing beauty and biodiversity to our sidewalks. But the impact doesn’t stop at the soil line.

Tree guards also keep our streets cleaner by defining edges, containing litter, and discouraging illegal parking. Their uniform, elegant design boosts curb appeal and inspires neighborhood pride—especially when personalized with donor or memorial plaques.

Tree guards can even contribute to public safety. These sturdy structures establish clear sidewalk boundaries, reduce loitering and vandalism, and signal that a block is cared for and watched over.

When we invest in thoughtful streetscape improvements like tree guards, we’re not just protecting trees—we’re protecting the character and safety of our neighborhoods.

Tree Pruning

Tree pruning is the process of selectively removing certain parts of a tree — such as branches, buds, or roots — to improve the tree’s health, structure, safety, and appearance. Regular care—including pruning, mulching, and disease management—helps trees thrive despite the stress of pollution, salt, limited soil, and compacted roots common in city environments.

The CHN Street Tree Care Committee is co-chaired by CHN board member Virginia Pitman, along with Julia Bradford and Suzanne Goldstein. Carnegie Hill residents often see them and their dedicated team of volunteers out on Saturday mornings—twice each spring and fall—pruning street trees and tending to tree beds.

These volunteers also report empty tree beds and dead trees to the Parks Department and advocate for replacements. Thanks to their efforts and support from various sources, nearly 50 new trees have been planted in Carnegie Hill over the past two years.

Carnegie Hill Neighbors partners with Trees New York to offer a tree care and pruning course that leads to a pruning license. Not ready to prune? You can still join our Street Tree Care Committee—no license required, just a passion for helping street trees thrive.

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New and Expanded Tree Guards around
PS 198 / PS 77

In April 2025, Carnegie Hill Neighbors proudly joined City Council Members Keith Powers and Julie Menin, along with the PS 198 / PS 77 community, to celebrate the incredible work of CHN Street Tree Care Chair Virginia Pitman at a special ribbon-cutting ceremony. Thanks to her leadership and dedication, the tree beds outside the schools have been expanded and equipped with durable new guards—bringing more beauty, sustainability, and green life to our neighborhood streets.

New and Expanded Tree Guards Around Hunter High School

Thanks to the dedication and advocacy of Carnegie Hill neighbors, the 26 tree beds surrounding Hunter High School have been beautifully revitalized.

Local residents helped champion the effort to expand the tree beds—supporting optimal hydration and root growth for both mature and young street trees. Each bed is now protected by a custom HDPE tree guard, designed and fabricated in New York City by City Tree Guards, a small business focused on sustainable solutions.

Since 1977, Hunter High School has operated as a publicly funded Pre-K–12 school, serving about 1,500 students on-site. The school occupies a historic building formerly used by Squadron A of the Eighth Regiment Armory, with its Madison Avenue façade landmarked in 1966.

This initiative underscores the impact of collective action in improving and sustaining our urban spaces. In collaboration with District 4 Council Member Keith Powers and Greener NYC—and backed by strong community support—it represents a united effort toward a greener, healthier neighborhood.