Central Park needs funds for new trees

On Aug. 18 an 80-mph wind felled some of Central Park’s oldest and grandest trees and damaged 1,000 more. A story in USA Today tracks the progress of the Central Park renewal effort.

After two months of cleanup, the sadness of the destruction is giving way to plans for replanting — and for restoring the damaged areas of the park in a way closer to the original vision of Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, the designers whose meticulous blend of woods, meadows, gardens, water and striking views make Central Park "synonymous" with a successful urban park, says Adrian Benepe, the city parks commissioner.

The conservancy needs $3 million to repair the storm damage.

Trees that sustained the most damage were black cherry, pin oak, Norway maple, lindens, black locust, American elm, sycamore maple and ginko. Some of the trees that were killed are virtually irreplaceable, including the 26 American elms.

Planting of new trees will begin in the spring.