There are 5.2 Million Trees in New York City. They provide 44,509 acres of tree canopy and remove 2,204 tons of pollution each year. We are going to sketch three extraordinary trees - each with its own unique story.
THE DINOSAUR
Our sketch tour will start at 163rd Street
and St. Nicholas Avenue where we will sketch The Dinosaur, an English Elm standing 110’. The tree stood on what was the Morris-Jumel
estate. On November 16, 1776, nearly 238
years ago, George Washington stood under this tree and watched the tides of
battle turn against his forces. At the
battle of Fort Washington New York City fell to the British and remained in English
control until the end of the civil war.
Today this tree stands inconspicuously in the middle of a typical NYC
street, a giant witness to history.
THE HANGING TREE
Our second stop
will be to sketch The Hanging Tree. Another English Elm, located at the Northeast
Corner of Washington Square Park. It
also stands 110’ with a diameter of 56”.
The Parks Department determined that it’s 310 years and it is commonly believed to be the oldest tree in the city.
While there are no records to confirm any public hangings there are lots
of rumors. In 1824 the Marquis de
Lafayette claimed to have witnessed 20 highwaymen hanged from the tree. Other rumors said traitors were hung there
during the revolutionary war. Research
suggests these stories are fabrications.
The land was a privately owned farm and then became a Potter’s Field. As
the city grew it was eventually cleared and made into a park area, becoming the Washington Square we now know.
THE HARE KRISHNA TREE
Our third
and last stop will be Tompkins Square Park, site of The Hare Krishna Tree. A
giant American Elm of undetermined, but significant height and width. It was
one of the trees that survived the Dutch Elm disease epidemic of the 1930s. The site is actually considered sacred by the
followers of the Hare Krishna religion. On October 9, 1966 A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the
movement’s founder, held his first outdoor chanting session in the US under the
shade of this tree. An enthused audience
chanted, sang and danced for two hours.
Included among the many who attended was the famous Beat Poet – Allan Ginsberg. To this day the Hare Krishna faithful pay tribute
to the tree, leaving flowers and other tokens of respect at its base.
DETAILS:
1.) We meet at the Dinosaur - St Nicholas
Ave & W 163rd at 10:00
AM. The A, C train to 163rd
St and Amsterdam Avenue stops one block away.
2.) We meet at the Hanging Tree – Waverly Place
and McDougal Street (signs will actually say Washington Square North and West at 12:00 Noon The closest subway is the West 4th
Street stop of the A,B C,D, E,F and M trains.
The tree is in the park but close to the entrance. There are benches
nearby.
3.) We meet at the Hare Krishna Tree – Tompkins
Square Park starts at Avenue A and East 7th Street. We will meet at that corner and then go into
the park at 2:30 PM. The park extends east to Avenue B and north
to East 10th Street. The tree
is in the park. It should be easy to find, although the park has many trees, this one if by far the tallest.
Sketch all three or select the portion you want.
If you can
find us call Mark at 973-809-9128
(But only if absolutely necessary as I will be busy drawing
too.
Thank you for understanding)
There are no fees or attendance taken. All drawing skill
levels are welcome.
