The Tree Wells of New York
Last Saturday morning, I spent two hours working with a team of tree stewards around a block in Washington Heights, with the neighborhood Super Steward, David.
David demonstrating the tree care work at one of the trees
Together, we tended to the soil in 19 tree wells—loosening compacted dirt, adding mulch, and checking on the health of the trees that shade our sidewalks.
A map showing the nineteen trees we cared for.
This is part of NYC Parks’ Tree Stewardship Program, which trains volunteers to care for street trees in their own neighborhoods. You can join a scheduled event like I did, or take a bigger step and become a Super Steward, like David—someone who organizes local volunteers and pulls resources directly from the Parks Department, from mulch deliveries to tools loans, and planting and advertising support. David runs a WhatsApp group for neighbors of Washington Heights. He posts these events in his group, and with the help of NYC Parks’ website volunteer events page.
Last month, I adopted a tree well next to my building, as mentioned in a previous blogpost. It’s just a single square of city sidewalk, but it’s become a mini-garden—a place where I’ve improved the soil, planted native flowers, and seen pollinators return.
The Stewardship program is simply that same work, multiplied across the neighborhood. The pictures below are just a small collection of the tree wells that have received much love.
And you can really see the difference care makes - not just for the beauty.
A few weeks ago, a summer thunderstorm turned the streets of my neighborhood into temporary rivers. Streets flooded, underground parking lots filled, and water pooled on every corner.
That evening, I walked the block and photographed our tree wells. As shown in the images below, the water had already disappeared in some of the wells—absorbed by rich, healthy soil—whereas in others, water sat on a flat, compacted surface, unable to drain.
Street trees are more than shade or decoration—though cooling our neighborhoods with leafy canopies is no small thing. Their roots absorb stormwater, filter pollutants, and help keep our air clean and cool.
But they can’t do any of that if their soil is neglected. Urban trees face tough conditions:
cramped root space,
constant soil compaction from traffic and construction,
a lack of worms and beneficial microbes,
damage from dog urine, which adds harmful levels of nitrogen
…
Over time, hard-packed, lifeless soil can’t absorb water or deliver nutrients.
Regular care—loosening, replenishing, and restoring the soil—keeps trees healthy and able to do their job. Because when the soil is alive, it doesn’t just support the tree above—it strengthens the whole city around it.
“Nature provides the seed; man provides the garden; each is grateful for the other’s help.”
—Elizabeth Gilbert, Big Magic
If you’ve ever walked past a thirsty, neglected tree and wished you could help—you can.
Sign up for a local event organized by NYC Parks’ stewardship program, or adopt a tree well near you. A little care goes a long way—for the tree, for the block, and for the city we share.
