SUNDAY: Sketch the Great Trees of New York

Sunday July 10, 2016

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 two of the city's extraordinary trees - each with its own unique story 

as old as the city itself. 

The Great Trees of NYC 

plus Special Bonus Event.

Unbelievable!  That's a tree..
Its dwarfing everything!
It's bigger than the cars, ...it's bigger than all the other trees,
... it's bigger than the apartment building 

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.  It is said that on November 16, 1776, nearly 240 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.

Taken This Winter along the northeast part
of the bridle path around the reservoir

THE OLDEST TREE IN CENTRAL PARK
In the afternoon we'll sketch the oldest tree in Central Park, a  stately multi-trunked London plane growing along the bridle path near the East 96th Street entrance at the northeast corner of the Reservoir..

Once you know how to spot a London Plane you see them everywhere.  They’re NYC’s second most popular tree* (18.4% according the the 1996 Tree census).   In many ways the London Plane is the perfect tree for the Big Apple, growing fast, resisting pollution and pests, and giving ample shade to the sidewalks. The logo for the New York City Parks Department appears to be based on a London plane leaf.


*  In case you were curious, Honeylocust trees are the most common tree in Manhattan - 23.3% of the total tree population.


DETAILS:
 1.)  Morning:  10:00 AM - 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.)  12:00 - Leave for Lunch - a picnic in Central Park.  Bring or buy on the way. We’ll meet at the huge London Plane that is on the north side of the reservoir in central park closer to the east side.  There are lots of large trees in this area but one is outstandingly large.  We’ll picnic near this spot and start sketching at 1:30.

3.)  Afternoon:  1:30 Sketch the Oldest Tree and the surrounding park area

4.)  Show and Tell:  At 3:00 we'll come together under the shade of the London Plane to to share drawings, good stories

4.)  Late Afternoon:  3:45 - NUS (Not Urban Sketching!) - Dr. Sketchy
- The Voluptuous Panic:   A unique sketching experience, (not for everyone’s taste,) but well worth checking out.  This Dr. Sketchy session will be scintillating, smart and a touch surrealist drawing session inspired by one of their favorite models -  Johnny Panic!

Session runs from 4:30-7:30 pm. Seating is first come first serve!  It pays to get there early.
Flûte Bar, 205 West 54th St.  There is a fee:  $12 in advance, $15 at the door, and a 2 drink minimum (that is encouraged but not enforced) from Flûte Bar's delicious happy hour menu.

If you can’t find us

call or text Mark at 973-809-9128

There are no fees.   All drawing skill levels are welcome.