I think it's great that the efforts of some of our residents in Hamilton Park and Harsimus Cove have been working with the city to get trees planted in these neighborhoods.

Trees add value to home properties, keep sidewalks and buildings cooler in the summer (trees can reduce air-conditioning costs in the summer by as musch as 20%) and just make the streets look nicer!

BUT, recently learned several business owners are refusing to let the city plant trees by their shops - BOUQUETS & BASKETS and AVANTI REALTORS. This is pathetic - one is a florist and the other is a realtor who makes his living selling properties in the neighborhood!

Both businesses are at the corner of First Street and Jersey Avenue - this intersection looks like a wasteland - all concrete, no trees and is oppressively hot in the summer. The florist is trying to block the planting of 7 trees - on Jersey Ave and on First Street and on the OPPOSITE side of Fiirst Street from his shop! Why does a florist NOT want lanscaping???

They argue the trees will block views of their businesses - this is ridiculous - this is a WALKING neighborhood - the trees won't prevent us from seeing their shops. Don't they get that the trees will make walking to their shop more pleasant??

Please let them know that we, the RESIDENTS of the neighborhood, want the trees. I personally am going to boycott both businesses. and tell them so. If they understand that this may affect their revenues, perhaps they will reconsider. Incidentally - these particular trees are being provided FREE by the city.