Residents Line Up To Put 'Forest' Back In Forest Hills

Residents gathered at Sunday in hopes of replacing private trees lost after last September’s tornado hit Forest Hills.

The sponsors of the event included the Four Borough Neighborhood Preservation Alliance and MillionTrees NYC, Toyota and JetBlue. Coordinator and Patch contributor Michael Perlman emphasized the importance of rebuilding the community with these trees.

“After the tornado occurred, I thought that I would make a difference and give back to the community. Trees convey life, beauty and they help sustain the environment. We want to plant more trees throughout the neighborhood rather than cutting [trees down.]” Perlman said.

With a total of 100 trees to be given out, people gathered as early as 10 a.m. for an event that started in the early afternoon. The two choices of trees given were cherry and black gum trees which were between seven and eight feet tall.

About 100 people stood and waited in MacDonald Park. Pat Nappo, a representative of Forestdale foster care, arrived at 11:30a.m. to ensure he would get a few trees for his block.

“[The September] tornado came by and took out about 20 of our trees and when this program approached us about giving away trees, we wanted to come here and make sure we get back some of the trees that we lost.”

Another resident arrived at noon looking to put a tree in her backyard. “Even though we weren’t hit hard by the tornado, having a tree in the area would just be an improvement on its own,” she said.

This event, was about giving the neighborhood back the green feeling that separates it from so many other New York City neighborhoods.

“We’re hoping to enhance aesthetics in the neighborhood and make our children proud. It’s all about giving back to the neighborhood and making a difference, with our teamwork, we’re having a really fruitful event — hence the cherry tree!”