The East 86th Street Association’s Spring Planting Initiative was delayed this year as we all quarantined and later focused our efforts on helping distribute nearly 10,000 masks to the community at large. While we will continue partnering with local elected officials including Council Members Ben Kallos and Keith Powers on mask distribution, our planting initiative is back and bigger than ever! After experimenting on several pits last year, it has become evident that Taxus Yew bushes have what it takes to handle the weather and the unique challenges posed by our busy city streets. It also helps that they are evergreen, giving us year-long cheer! In the past few weeks we have added 70 new Yew bushes between 1st Avenue and Park Avenue and have another 42 coming over the next few weeks. We have planted 30 Liriape Muscari as well as complimentary plants. Additionally, we have transplanted a number of Inkberry bushes, mulched 50 tree pits, and will mulch Third Avenue between 84th Street and 87th Street soon. Finally, we are coordinating with the Wildcats cleaners to water all of these fresh pits twice/week. We hope you appreciate our efforts and thank you for your support- it makes projects like this possible!