The tree is felled so that diplomats may live.
Security for the United Nations General Assembly involves thousands of NYPD police officers, Secret Service agents, diplomatic security service officers, the Coast Guard — and city Department of Transportation workers with pruning shears.
Since at least 2013, this Gothamist reporter has noticed transportation employees cutting down a large princess tree on First Avenue near East 47th Street every year ahead of the General Assembly. Each year, it grows back taller, only to be chopped once again.
Gothamist joined transportation workers last week as they trimmed urban flora near the U.N.’s extraterritorial edifice, playing one chord in a symphony of security that fills Midtown residents and drivers with dread.
“It's just part of the job. It keeps you with a job, man,” contractor Lamont Battle said as he stuffed parts of the tree into black trash bags. A dead rat tumbled out of the foliage onto the sidewalk.
Department of Transportation workers were tasked with pruning greenery as part of the elaborate security for the UNGA.
This year marks the 80th General Assembly, with high-level meetings kicking off Monday. U.N. officials said 89 heads of state, 43 heads of government, a plethora of other VIPs and one crown prince will all converge on one of the most congested parts of Manhattan.
The mix of protests, motorcades and elaborate security measures makes getting around Midtown a huge headache. At least six sanitation trucks will be used as barriers.
Officials’ efforts to thwart attacks and mayhem during the gathering include clearing sightlines and trimming away greenery that could serve as a hiding place.
“You don’t want views blocked," former city traffic commissioner Sam Schwartz said. "There could be short diplomats or tall diplomats or short bad guys. Cutting down the weeds makes a lot of sense."
But chopping down the invasive tree native to China is a Sisyphean task. Botanist Lydia Paradiso, who recently completed a dissertation on New York’s spontaneous urban flora, said the princess tree is "super resilient." It will doubtless grow back next year, she said.
“One of the things about some invasive plants that makes them so successful is that when they’re damaged, they respond with more growth,” Paradiso said.
At least the job isn’t too tough, according to the crew.
“You cut them down limb by limb, and the tree is pretty soft at that,” transportation department worker Paul Dunham said.
The aftermath of the chopping. A botanist said the princess tree will grow back.
The NYPD referred questions about the tree to the Secret Service. A spokesperson for the agency declined to comment, citing security concerns.
Mayor Eric Adams has said there are no specific threats against the U.N., but the city's “posture is elevated out of an abundance of caution, given the global environment.”
The General Assembly runs until Sept. 29. First Avenue will be closed from 42nd to 48th streets, and 44th to 48th streets will be shut from First to Second avenues. Police will also close other areas around the city as security needs demand.
Mary Mathis said she’d be heading to Florida for the duration of the event, but she was OK with the security.
“Quite frankly, with the situation in our country right now, I'm all for providing whatever secure means is necessary, however possible that might be. So I'm sorry for the tree,” she said.
“ I'm happy to hear that she grows back every year stronger and taller," Mathis added. "I hope we all continue to do the same.”
