A strong gust of wind toppled a tree on Pleasantview Street the morning of February 25. This photo was posted to our Facebook page showing the destruction that it caused to parked cars in its vicinity. Arborist and civic leader Carsten Glaeser stated, “The key indicator for the failure of this tree is clearly advanced wood decay, perhaps a decay column from the base of the Silver Maple to where it snapped. Common in Silver Maples. Inspect all others of similar size with a mallet. How many more risk trees with decay are out there?” This area is no stranger to downed timber, which is why NYC Parks needs to inspect its street trees more often and more thoroughly. This could have been tragic.