Accusation of Tarrytown Tree Poisoning

The police blotter itemizes crimes against people and property, but rarely nature.

Someone came into headquarters to report on August 31 at 11:03 a.m. the possible criminal mischief to a tree planted at the dead end of West Main Street. The citizen had apparently consulted with the village arborist, Dierdre Carsto, who thought the tree seemed to die very quickly and that it was possible that it was poisoned. 

The tree, a red maple, was purchased from the village approximately five years ago and planted in the traffic circle during the construction of Hudson Harbor.

According to Village Administrator Mike Blau, the tree was transplanted from Pierson Park where it had originally been planted by a resident in the name of his brother.  

“During the park design process there was a discussion of moving the tree or having a different tree to be planted in the park dedicated to the brother and move the tree in the circle, but the Village decided against it," Blau said. 

The tree had been a subject of minor controversy for some Hudson Harbor residents. Blau said some objected to the future threat of their river view being obstructed with the growth of the tree, however he was unfamiliar with any recent accusation of poisoning.

The slight tree, visited Monday, indeed looks rough for wear, with dead dried leaves clinging to its branches.

A plaque below the tree, from Tree City USA, reads:

In Memory Of 

My Loving Brother

Frank L. Ciliberti, Jr. 

February 26, 1937 - April 4, 2007

You Will Never Be Forgotten