A tree floats in Brooklyn

Last fall, I stumbled upon this tree, which looks like it’s hovering above the sidewalk at first glance. Does anyone know what kind of tree it is?

 

Closer view for identification purposes

Read Full Post »

New York’s surrogate plants

As a California native, I grew up with an abundance of parks, hiking trails and large areas of nature within a short walking distance. That is why I was surprised that the artificial foliage and plants of New York have been catching my attention. The city’s greenery cannot compare with California’s vegetation, but I am interested in how urban dwellers find comfort and privacy in a bustling city where space is limited and its supply is competitive.

Read Full Post »

Mysteriously multiplying Christmas trees in Brooklyn

“How did my seven-unit building produce ten dumped trees? Don’t ‘miracle of Christmas’ me, Brooklyn, you’ve got some explaining to do,” says playwright and keen-eyed New Yorker Mike Lew.

Any theories?

Read Full Post »

Brooklyn: Sara’s “Needle Bed” opens tonight at Open Source

After a much-too-long period of silence – during which I’ve been focused primarily on music – I am happy to share my newest solo work which has swung back into the realm of Urban Plant Research: an installation made from recycled Christmas trees!

I hope those of our readers in New York City will consider joining me at the opening of my show Needle Bed this evening from 7-9pm at Open Source Gallery in South Slope, Brooklyn. Despite the ridiculously freezing temperature outside, it will be festive!

Read Full Post »

Brooklyn: Slideshow at Open Source Gallery, Oct. 14

Urban Plant Research is back in action in Brooklyn! On October 14, we’re presenting a slideshow and discussion at Open Source Gallery in South Slope, as part of the gallery’s ‘Church of Monika’ program of Sunday morning art-related gatherings.

Read Full Post »

Germany: the fate of Christmas trees in January

What’s this? Could it really be a polar bear getting ready to eat a discarded Christmas tree? Indeed, our friend and faithful Urban Plants reader Phyllis alerted us to a strange and amazing January urban plant tradition that takes place each year in zoos all around Germany.

Read Full Post »

Brooklyn: Nighttime weeds along the Gowanus Canal

On a recent warm night while traversing the Gowanus Canal, I spied a couple suspicious green characters lurking about, like this many-headed ivy monster…

Read Full Post »

Brooklyn: Trees wearing sweaters

The weather has been very mercurial lately, swinging from warm summery days for short sleeves to gusty days like today when I go back inside to get my sweater. The weather is whipping the trees around too and I bet some of them would be happy to have sweaters too, like these trees I saw in Brooklyn back in January. 

Read Full Post »

Brooklyn: Oak treeling discovered in windowsill garden

My housemate, who tends a garden in our backyard along with a few pots inside the house by her window, recently discovered a volunteer sprout in one of the indoor plant pots. But when she pulled up the “weed,” she discovered it had taken root from an acorn! A tiny little oak tree had developed inside of her room!

Impressed by its tenacity, we placed it in a jar with some water. Maybe we’ll plant it outside somewhere one of these days.

Read Full Post »

Drainpipe tree sealed up

On November 16, 2009 it finally happened. Two men went to work clearing out the drainpipe tree and sealing up the corner of the church on 17th Street at 5th Avenue. This “tree,” really at least 2 or 3 young trees growing out of the side of the building through cracks created by a broken drainpipe system, had captivated me since the summer of 2008 and through the frozen months of winter. For the sake of the church community, I hope the workers got the entire root system out! Otherwise, I’m afraid, there could be a dormant tree waiting for its chance to break through once more…

Read Full Post »