A Greener Greenwich Street

The Greening of Greenwich Street was dubbed the "Browning of Greenwich Street" last year when 15 freshly planted trees died. But last month new life came to the street with the arrival of 15 living—though smaller—woody plants to take their place. The trees, located south of Harrison Street, include 12 disease-resistant elms, a new linden and a Japanese scholar. Signe Nielsen, the landscape architect for the project, said improper watering caused the death of the trees. She also said that the root balls were too large for the holes they were placed in. The new trees are about half the diameter of the ones they are replacing. There was also concern last year about new plantings that had been covered by Independence Plaza scaffolding north of Harrison Street. "Miraculously, they’re budding and look fine," Nielsen said. In the meantime, dogs are putting the plantings at risk, said Doug Sterner, president of Friends of Greenwich Street. "They will not survive if people continue to use them as toilets for their dogs," he said. "We are going to have to have the Sanitation Department come down and make sure people are complying with the law." Although the street’s greenery is maintained by the Tribeca Partnership, Sterner is looking for volunteers to help. Those interested should write to him at 295 Greenwich St., Box 247, New York, N.Y. 10007.