City Park of N.O.: Live Oak Destruction Area

Sign placed after damage already done to old live oak in City Park.
Sign placed after damage already done to old live oak in City Park.

After sending  a still-unanswered correspondence about how the new Great Lawn project was damaging one of the older trees in the park, I noticed that these signs went up. Doesn’t that make you feel better? No? I thought not.

I did learn that the park’s primary contractor for tree “care” has now written a prescription for the tree. So, after the destructive acts committed against this beautiful and iconic oak by the design team, management and the construction company, the park is suddenly looking after the health of the tree. Ah, irony is a bitter and repulsive dinner sometimes.

Easily two thirds of the canopy of this large tree has been impacted by unenlightened design and construction.
Easily two thirds of the canopy of this large tree has been impacted by destructive design and construction.
Deeply trenched across the delicate roots, this construction likely will be a sign or monument for the Great Lawn. The tree canopy will surely die-off in the zone over the damage.
Deeply trenched across the delicate roots, this work likely will be a sign or monument for the Great Lawn. Damage to the delicate root system will be revealed as parts of the canopy die-off in the future.
Trees damaged by buildling of the Sculpture Garden and Pavilion of the Two Sisters. This kind of die-off is the result of failure to properly protect and care for these live oaks. This is the future if development continues without stronger protections and procedures.
Trees damaged by buildling of the Sculpture Garden and Pavilion of the Two Sisters. This kind of die-off is the result of failure to properly protect and care for these live oaks. This is the future if development continues without stronger protections and procedures.