Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
City's Oldest Tree: Manhattan or Queens?
By
Jen Carlson
Published Oct 7, 2009
Modified Oct 7, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Carlson
Published Oct 7, 2009
Modified Oct 7, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
With the wind blowing down trees out there today (seriously, watch out, one "city-owned tree" just hit a house in Queens), and the 600-year-old tree being torn down before it rots out and falls over, CityRoom asks where the oldest tree in the 5 boroughs is.
With 5.2 million of them rooted in our neighborhoods, even Edward S. Barnard, author of New York City Trees: A Field Guide for the Metropolitan Area, told the site: “God only knows.” Their guess, however, is that the oldest may be the tall tulip tree in Alley Pond Park, called the Queens Giant. While the tree is tall, that isn't the only indicator of age, especially in urban areas where stressful conditions can slow growth. While the plaque on it says it's 400 years old, "the city’s Department of Parks and Recreation is unsure of the origins of that estimate and cannot say whether the margin of error is measured in years or centuries." Some contend that it's only 250 years old. But who cares, there's a fun hollow in its trunk that provides a hidden space for several people at a time!
Meanwhile, Barnard, who is currently penning a book about Central Park's trees, says he's discovered two there that predate the park's construction; “It’s exciting for people like me to look at, to touch something that lived so long ago. There’s something sacred about these ancient living things.” If you want to touch the past, head over to "the Hanging Tree" (aka the Hangman's Elm) in Washington Square Park, which is said to be over 300 years old.
Tagged
central park
Edward Barnard
Hanging Tree
old
Queens Giant
tree
washington square park
Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
2 pedestrians killed in Bronx crash after driver ran red light, police say
The NYPD said the investigation is continuing and no one had been arrested Saturday.
By
Brittany Kriegstein
and
Ann Givens
Published Oct 10, 2026 at 1:24 p.m. ET
Rain could put a damper on NYC’s long weekend. Here’s when it will clear.
Remnants of Hurricane Isaias could bring more than an inch of rain, gusty winds and even a thunderstorm Sunday before conditions improve Monday.
By
Brittany Kriegstein
News
Rain could put a damper on NYC’s long weekend. Here’s when it will clear.
Remnants of Hurricane Isaias could bring more than an inch of rain, gusty winds and even a thunderstorm Sunday before conditions improve Monday.
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Holy civics! NYC schools' own comic books in the spotlight at Comic Con
By
Jessica Gould
What we know about the ICE shooting in NYC
By
Karen Yi
DSA to Mamdani: Fire NYPD commissioner if ICE doesn't leave NYC
By
Elizabeth Kim
,
Brigid Bergin
and
Ben Feuerherd
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .