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AccessibilityGreat Trees of New York City
New York City is home to millions of trees, but only a few can lay claim to being the "Great Trees of New York City." In 1985, the city embarked on its first Great Tree Search, seeking nominations from citizens in each borough for trees of unusual size, species, form or historical association. The heritage trees that were selected best represent the diversity and scale of New York City's urban forest.
As time passed, new trees grew to impressive sizes, and new events occurred that were worthy of commemoration. In 2023, we embarked on a new Great Tree search with the goal of increasing both the number of trees and the diversity of people telling these stories. The next generation of Great Trees were announced in 2024, expanding the reach of the Great Tree initiative.
Ecological Benefits of Great Trees
Not only are Great Trees symbols of the city, but they also provide great ecological benefits. Mature trees such as these heritage trees help cool the air, remove air pollution, capture rainfall, and save energy.
What makes a Great Tree?
Through a public process, New Yorkers in every community were invited to nominate exceptional trees, as defined by their historic, botanical, and cultural significance, with the goal of increasing both the number of trees and the diversity of people telling these stories.
Historic Significance
Trees bear witness to many important historical moments across our city reflecting the diversity and lived experiences of New Yorkers.
Botanical Significance
Great Trees may be rare species or varieties, remnants of historic or native ecosystems, trees with profound form or structure, or unique in other aesthetic or scientific ways.
Cultural Significance
Some trees may have a strong association with a belief, person, place, or event of cultural importance to a community, reflect cultural expressions, or appear in works of art.
Check out the Great Trees of New York across all five boroughs below.
Search the Great Trees
| Name | Location |
|---|---|
| American Basswood in Joyce Kilmer Park | Mid-park, along a path near the northern lawn Great Tree Details |
| American Elm at Wave Hill | At the top of the lawn just southeast of the Wave Hill House. Great Tree Details |
| American Elm in Crotona Park | Near the Claremont Parkway and Crotona Park E entrance, on the northern side Great Tree Details |
| American Elm in Mapes Park | East 180th Street, near Mapes Ave. Great Tree Details |
| American Sycamore at New York Botanical Garden | New York Botanical Garden, just northeast of Everett Garden Gate Great Tree Details |
| Black Oak at Woodlawn Cemetery | Northeast corner of Woodlawn Cemetery Great Tree Details |
| Black Tupelo at Mosholu Parkway | Mid-park, visible from W Mosholu Parkway North Great Tree Details |
| Cherry in Ewen Park | Mid-park, just south of the dog run Great Tree Details |
| European Cutleaf Beech at Woodlawn Cemetery | Woodlawn Cemetery northeast of the Jerome Avenue entrance Great Tree Details |
| Green Ash in Crotona Park | South of the Prospect Ave. entrance, behind the playground Great Tree Details |
| Japanese Maple at Woodlawn Cemetery | Woodlawn Cemetery, between Central Avenue & Spruce Avenue Great Tree Details |
| Lacebark Pine at Wave Hill | At the top of the lawn just southeast of the Wave Hill House. Great Tree Details |
| Littleleaf Linden War Memorial at Pelham Bay Park | South of Bronx Victory Memorial Great Tree Details |
| Littleleaf Linden at Woodlawn Cemetery | Woodlawn Cemetery's Jazz Corner, overlooking gravesite of Duke Ellington Great Tree Details |
| American Sycamore at Corlear Ave & West 231st St | East side of Corlear Avenue just south of West 231st Street Great Tree Details |
| Post Oak Grove in Pelham Bay Park | Northern edge of Hunter Island Great Tree Details |
| Common Horsechestnuts at Van Cortlandt Mansion | On the east lawn of Van Cortlandt Mansion. Great Tree Details |
| Red Oak at New York Botanical Garden | Middle of the Spicebush Trail, across from a large rock outcropping. Great Tree Details |
| Sugar Maple at Wave Hill | At the top of the lawn just southeast of the Wave Hill House. Great Tree Details |
| Sweetgum at 2151 Newbold Ave | 2151 Newbold Avenue, in the yard of American Legion Post 1065 Great Tree Details |
| Umbrella Pine at Woodlawn Cemetery | Woodlawn Cemetery, corner of Parkview and Chestnut Avenues Great Tree Details |
| Weeping Beech at Woodlawn Cemetery | Woodlawn Cemetery, near Gould Mausoleum Great Tree Details |
| White Ash at Van Cortlandt Park | East side of the entrance to the cross country trail Great Tree Details |
| White Ash at New York Botanical Garden | New York Botanical Garden, near Bedford Park Blvd. entrance Great Tree Details |
| White Oak at Raoul Wallenberg Forest | Along the Palisades Avenue hiking trail Great Tree Details |
| White Oak at Woodlawn Cemetery | Woodlawn Cemetery, North Border Ave and Rutgers Ave overlooking East 233rd Street Great Tree Details |
| White Oak in Van Cortlandt Park | North side of Gun Hill Road at Moshulu Parkway North Great Tree Details |
| White Pine at Woodlawn Cemetery | Woodlawn Cemetery near Jerome Avenue entrance Great Tree Details |
| Willow Oak Street Tree on Perry Ave | 3331 Perry Ave. Great Tree Details |
| Name | Location |
|---|---|
| American Basswood at Fort Totten Park | On Underhill Rd & Officers Dr Great Tree Details |
| American Beech at Maple Grove Cemetery | Maple Grove Cemetery, by the grave of Elizabeth Riis Great Tree Details |
| American Beech at Maple Grove Cemetery | Maple Grove Cemetery, by the grave of Elizabeth Riis Great Tree Details |
| American Elm Street Tree on 55th Ave Elmhurst | 92-22 55 Avenue Great Tree Details |
| Bald Cypress at Flushing High School | 138-10 Northern Boulevard, Queens (in front of Flushing High School) Great Tree Details |
| Bald Cypress on Sanford Avenue | 143-66 Sanford Avenue at Parsons Boulevard, Queens Great Tree Details |
| Black Oak in Wyckoff-Snediker Family Cemetery | Rear of All Saints Episcopal Church, not publicly viewable. Great Tree Details |
| Cedar of Lebanon at Weeping Beech Park | Mid-park, near the public restroom Great Tree Details |
| Weeping Beech at Margaret Carman Green | On 37th Ave, in Kingsland Homestead/Queens Historical Society courtyard Great Tree Details |
| Ginkgo in Crocheron Park | Behind the baseball fields, near the public restroom Great Tree Details |
| Katsura at 15 Shore Road | 15 Shore Road, Queens Great Tree Details |
| Manchurian Linden at Kissena Park | Immediately adjacent to the tennis courts - 75 feet north of the public restroom Great Tree Details |
| Persian Parrotia in Kissena Park | Thirty feet south of the public restroom Great Tree Details |
| Pin Oaks on Forest Park Drive | Memorial Drive, from Jackson Pond Playground to Forest Park Drive Great Tree Details |
| River Birch Street Tree on Corporal Kennedy Street | 35-26 Corporal Kennedy Street Great Tree Details |
| Swamp White Oak in Bowne Park | Between northwest entrance of Bowne Park and the pond Great Tree Details |
| The Alley Pond Giant | Along Tulip Tree Trail (Enter at Horace Harding Expy entrance) Great Tree Details |
| Willow Oak Street Tree on Steinway Street | 23-24 Steinway Street Great Tree Details |
| Name | Location |
|---|---|
| American Elm at 72nd Street near Owl's Head Park | 72nd Street and Ridge Boulevard Great Tree Details |
| American Elm Street Tree on Quincy St. | In front of 794 Quincy St Great Tree Details |
| American Elm in Sunset Park | Top of the hill in the central lawn Great Tree Details |
| American Elm Street Tree on 1st Street | Near 1769 West 1st Street Great Tree Details |
| American Elm in Amersfort Park | Near Avenue J and East 39th Street entrance Great Tree Details |
| American Hornbeam in Prospect Park | Across from the camperdown elm where three trails intersect. Great Tree Details |
| Black Oak Street Tree on Albany Ave | 1319 Albany Ave Great Tree Details |
| Black Oak Street Tree on Troy Ave | 1281 Troy Avenue Great Tree Details |
| The Camperdown Elm in Prospect Park | South of the Boathouse and east of the Lullwater bridge Great Tree Details |
| Camperdown Elm in Greenwood Cemetery | Greenwood Cemetery at the intersection of Garden Path and Pink Avenue Great Tree Details |
| Caucasian Wing Nut at Brooklyn Botanic Garden | On the Flatbush Avenue side of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden just north of the Rock Garden Great Tree Details |
| Chinese Parasol Tree at Brooklyn Botanic Garden | South of the Rock Garden Great Tree Details |
| Common Pawpaw at Brooklyn Botanic Garden | Washington Ave side of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, along Conservatory Gallery Great Tree Details |
| Dawn Redwood at 151 Willow Street | 151 Willow St Great Tree Details |
| Eastern Redbud at Msgr. McGolrick Park | Msgr. McGolrick Park, west of the playground Great Tree Details |
| English Elm at Prospect Park Garfield Entrance | Dr, between Garfield Entrance and Meadowport Arch Great Tree Details |
| English Elm at Fort Greene Park | North of southeastern children's playground. Great Tree Details |
| Gingko at the United Order of Tents | In front of 87 MacDonough St Great Tree Details |
| Japanese Pagodatree in Prospect Park | Beside the camperdown elm south of the Boathouse Great Tree Details |
| Kansas Hawthorn at Brooklyn Botanic Garden | Across from the Lily Pond Great Tree Details |
| Southern Magnolia at Magnolia Tree Earth Center | Magnolia Tree Earth Center, 677 Lafayette Avenue Great Tree Details |
| Mountain Winterberry at Brooklyn Botanic Garden | South side of the Rock Garden Great Tree Details |
| Northern Red Oak in Saratoga Park | On southern side of the path north of the children's playground Great Tree Details |
| Red Oak Street Tree on 3rd Street | 195 East 3 Street Great Tree Details |
| Pin Oak Street Tree on 88th Street | 351 88th Street Great Tree Details |
| Shumard Oak Street Tree on 6th Ave. | 385 6th Ave Great Tree Details |
| Weeping Beech at Cypress Hills National Cemetery | Cypress Hills Cemetery, north of Norwood Ave at Jamaica Ave Great Tree Details |
| Weeping Willow Tree on 6th Ave. | At the corner of 6th Ave & 15th St Great Tree Details |
| Weeping Willow in Marine Park | Near Gerritsen Ballfields, southeast of Ball Field #3 Great Tree Details |
| Willow Oak Street Tree on Herbert Street | In front of 86 Herbert Street. Great Tree Details |
| Name | Location |
|---|---|
| Grove of American Elms on Central Park Mall | The Mall (located just north of the intersection of the east and north drives, at about 66th street) Great Tree Details |
| American Elm at Central Park Mall | Growing at rock outcrops just east of the mall Great Tree Details |
| American Elm at Central Park Mall | Growing at rock outcrops just east of the Mall Great Tree Details |
| American Elm at Central Park West and West 77th?Street | Grows by the retaining wall at the northeast corner of the intersection of Central Park West and West 77th street Great Tree Details |
| American Elm at Central Park E. 97th Street Entrance | East 97th Street entrance to Central Park, aproximately 500 feet west of 5th Avenue Great Tree Details |
| Hare Krishna Tree | Central plaza, across from south entrance Great Tree Details |
| American Sycamore in Morningside Park | Next to fork in path, north of W. 120th St entrance Great Tree Details |
| Black Tupelo in The Ramble | Near the center of the Ramble Great Tree Details |
| The Survivor Tree | 9/11 Memorial Plaza Great Tree Details |
| AIDS Memorial Tree | Central lawn, northeast of Hare Krishna Tree Great Tree Details |
| Dawn Redwood at Liz Christy Garden | Inside the Liz Christy Garden Great Tree Details |
| English Elm in Washington Square Park (Hangman's Elm) | Northwest corner of Washington Square Park Great Tree Details |
| English Elm in Stuyvesant Square Park | Western gate of Stuyvesant Square Park Great Tree Details |
| English Elm at St. Nicholas Ave. and W. 163rd St. | Apartment complex on east side of St. Nicholas Ave at 163rd Street Great Tree Details |
| English Elm in Madison Square Park | Mid-park, northeast of reflecting pool Great Tree Details |
| Evodia by the Heckscher Playground | By Heckscher Playground near Columbus Circle Great Tree Details |
| Gingko at Isham Park | Southeast corner at Broadway and West 211th Street Great Tree Details |
| Ginkgo at Fort Tryon Park | South end of the Cloisters Lawn Great Tree Details |
| London Planetree at the Central Park Reservoir | Northeast corner of reservoir Great Tree Details |
| Osage Orange in Marcus Garvey Park | Southwest corner of Marcus Garvey Park Great Tree Details |
| Siberian Elm at Fort Tryon Park | Southern entrance of Heather Garden, west side of Center Path Great Tree Details |
| Pine Trees of the Arthur Ross Pinetum Central Park | Arthur Ross Pinetum at the north end of the Great Lawn Great Tree Details |
| Weeping Willow at Creative Little Garden | 530 East 6th St Great Tree Details |
| Weeping Willow in El Jardin del Paraiso Garden | Southeast corner of El Jardin del Paraiso Garden Great Tree Details |
| Weeping Willow on Randall's Island | Southeast of Wards Meadow Loop, across from Hell Gate channel Great Tree Details |
| Yoshino Cherries at the Reservoir Central Park | East side of reservoir Great Tree Details |
| Name | Location |
|---|---|
| American Elm in Freshkills Park | Located east of 890 Travis Ave. Great Tree Details |
| American Sycamore at Conference House Park | Behind the Conference House Great Tree Details |
| Black Walnut at Olmsted-Beil House | On Olmsted-Beil House property, east of the house Great Tree Details |
| Catalpa at Historic Richmond Town | Historic Richmond Town, behind the tin shop Great Tree Details |
| Cedar of Lebanon at Olmsted-Beil House Park | 4515 Hylan Boulevard - 35 feet off the left corner of the house (three feet off the driveway) Great Tree Details |
| Eastern Cottonwood at Sprague Ave | 184 Sprague Avenue, Staten Island Great Tree Details |
| White Pine in Blue Heron Park | Just southeast of Blue Heron Nature Center Great Tree Details |
| Yew in Hero Park | Southeast of Victory Blvd entrance Great Tree Details |
| Japanese Pagoda Tree in Von Briesen Park | At southern end of park, where the path curves east-west Great Tree Details |
| London Planetree at Alice Austen House | In the meadow south of the Alice Austen House Great Tree Details |
| Osage Orange Grove at Seguine Ave | Multiple trees along Seguine Avenue from Hylan Boulevard across from the Staten Island University Hospital Great Tree Details |
| Royal Paulownia at Snug Harbor | 914 Richmond Terrace (on the west side of the Veterans Memorial Hall Playhouse, off Chapel Road) Great Tree Details |
| Davis Oak at Stuyvesant Place | Stuyvesant Place near St. George Park Great Tree Details |
| Swamp White Oak Private Tree on Giffords Lane | Near Giffords Ln & Gibson Ave, inaccessible to the public Great Tree Details |
| Tuliptree at Clove Lakes Park | Near the corner of Clove Road and Forest Avenue Great Tree Details |
| Willow Oak at Clove Lakes Park | On the shore of Clove Lake, 150 feet north of Victory Boulevard, near the basketball courts. Great Tree Details |
Get Involved
Stewardship
Many of these Great Trees are older and need your help to ensure their future. Volunteer with us and become a tree steward to help these trees and many others thrive for generations to come.
Protect the Great Trees
NYC Parks Tree Time maintains the list of Great Trees of New York City. Tree Time, a program of NYC Parks and the City Parks Foundation, was established in 1994 to protect, preserve, and enhance NYC's street, park, and forest trees. If you wish to help preserve and protect our heritage trees, you can make a tax-deductible donation to ensure they receive the specialized care they deserve.
Did We Miss Any Great Trees?
If you don’t see a Great Tree that you know and love in your community let us know!
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