Street Tree Walking Tour of April 2009 (photo by Keka Marzagão)

The 4th Annual Sustainable Flatbush Street Tree Walking Tour will be Sunday, April 17, the day after the Plant Swap. (It’s a busy weekend for us!) We’re following the same route as past tours, so if you’ve only been able to enjoy our fall foliage in the past, come enjoy the spring blooms!

Once again tours leave from Sacred Vibes Apothecary at 11am and 12noon. Your tour guides will be Sam Bishop of Trees NY, neighbor and gardener Tracey Hohman, and Sustainable Flatbush’s own Chris Kreussling (aka Flatbush Gardener). On the tour, you can see:

• Acer platanoides, Norway Maple
• Aesculus hippocastanum, Horsechestnut
• Amelanchier, Serviceberry
• Betula nigra, River Birch
• Cercis canadensis, Redbud
• Cornus florida, Flowering Dogwood
• Cryptomeria japonica, Japanese Red Cedar
• Ginkgo biloba, Ginkgo
• Gleditsia triacanthos, Honey Locust
• Liquidambar styraciflua, Sweetgum
• Metasequoia glyptostroboides, Dawn Redwood
• Pinus strobus, White Pine
• Platanus x acerifolia, London Plane
• Pyrus calleryana, Flowering Pear, Callery Pear
• Quercus palustris, Pin Oak
• Quercus robur ‘Fastigiata’, Columnar English Oak
• Sophora japonica, Japanese Pagoda Tree, Scholar Tree
• Tsuga canadensis, Eastern Hemlock
• Ulmus americana, American Elm

… and many more.

When: Sunday, April 17. Tours set out at 11am and 12noon. The tour lasts 90 minutes to 2 hours.
Where: Tours leave from Sacred Vibes Apothecary, 376 Argyle Road, just down the corner from Cortelyou Road, across the street from the Tot Lot, catty-corner from the Greenmarket. The route is about a mile in length, looping back to where we started.
Suggested Donation: 5$

Victorian Flatbush Street Tree (photo by Keka Marzagão)

After the success of last year’s fall walking tour, this Sunday, October 24th, Sustainable Flatbush will be holding our 2nd Annual Fall Street Tree Walking Tour! This year it has even been listed as a NeighborWoods Month event!

The tour will take advantage of the colorful fall foliage in the backdrop of the beautifully picturesque Victorian section of Flatbush. The rich history of this area includes the trees, some of which are more than a century old. These natural landmarks dot the Flatbush area, and are an important aspect of the Victorian charm here.

The tours will leave at both 11 AM and noon that day from the Sacred Vibes Apothecary on Argyle Road, and will be led by our two expert tour guides, Sam Bishop of Trees NY and Sustainable Flatbush’s own Chris Kreussling (aka Flatbush Gardener). They will share some interesting details and facts about the trees of the area, the different types of trees and their characteristics, and the benefits of having trees in the context of urban areas. So whether you are interested in learning more about the flora of the area, or you just want to admire the beautiful sights to be seen during this time of year, this Sunday is sure to be a great experience!

WHAT: Sustainable Flatbush 2nd Annual Fall Foliage Street Tree Walking Tour
WHERE: Meet at Sacred Vibes Apothecary, 376 Argyle Road, Brooklyn
WHEN: Sunday, October 24th at 11am

Suggested donation $5

photo by Keka

What: Street Tree Walking Tour

Where: Begins and ends at Sacred Vibes Apothecary (376 Argyle Road, btwn Cortelyou & Dorchester Roads)

When: Sunday, May 2 — two tours are scheduled: one at 11 a.m., one at noon

Suggested donation $5

On the Street Tree Walking Tour, you will learn to identify a variety of trees (think of how you can impress your friends!), examine local natural tree history and tree lore (no textbooks needed!), explore the way street trees benefit urban areas (you’ll become a tree’s best friend), and find out how you can obtain and care for street trees yourself!

Street Tree Walking Tour '09 (photo by Keka)

Become a street tree defender as you walk your way around Victorian Flatbush! The tour (recommended by Brokelyn as a great cheap date!) will take about two hours. Make sure to dress appropriately for the weather and the walk!

The Street Tree Walking Tour is about “connecting people to streetscape,” according to Chris Kreussling. Street trees remind us that we are not separate from nature, but instead dependent upon it for our survival and safety. So grab a friend — or three! –  for the walk of the season, and fall more in love with the beautiful foliage of Brooklyn!

What: Street Tree Walking Tour

Where: Begins and ends at Sacred Vibes Apothecary (376 Argyle Road, btwn Cortelyou & Dorchester Roads)

When: Sunday, April 25 — two tours are scheduled: one at 11 a.m., one at noon

Rain date: In case of heavy rain, the tour will be rescheduled for Sunday, May 2

Suggested donation $5

Keep an eye out for Sustainable Flatbush’s Street Tree Walking Tour next fall!

Do you brush past that same old tree every day as you come and go from home, but forget that it’s even there? Would you like to know its name, its history, and admire its resplendent beauty at the peak of this colorful Fall season? Join Sustainable Flatbush and community residents for the first Fall Foliage Street Tree Walking Tour, led by tour guide Tracey Hohman, professional gardener, and Chris Kreussling, aka Flatbush Gardener, both from the neighborhood.

On Saturday, October 24th, we will be strolling and discovering the hidden histories of local trees, identifying names and characteristics, discussing their role in the environment, and learning how to care for the proud tree on your street.

“Conditions are ideal for spectacular foliage this year. We’ve had ample rains over the Summer following near-record Spring rains. The NY State Foliage Forecast predicts that peak foliage will reach New York City around the last week of October.” -Flatbush Gardener Blog

This free event is a perfect opportunity to visit Victorian Flatbush in the heart of Brooklyn and experience the neighborhood’s breathtaking street trees — including some that are more than 100 years old! By the tour’s end you will have made friends not only with neighbors and guides, but with the trees in our community as well.

Location:
Tours start at Sacred Vibes Apothecary, 376 Argyle Road, just south of Cortelyou Road: http://maps.google.com

Directions:
Take the Q train to Cortelyou Road Station and walk west after exiting the station toward Argyle Road. As a reminder, check the MTA website for schedule and service advisories before you head out: http://mta.info

Time:
Tours depart at 11:00 AM and 12:00 NOON.
Tours take about 2 hours to complete and are 1 mile in length.

Google Map for the stroll: http://bk.ly/N8

For more information, please contact Sustainable Flatbush at info@SustainableFlatbush.org

photos by Flatbush Gardener and Keka Marzagao