When Leora Katayev bought her home in Kew Gardens four years ago, the leafy, tree-lined block was a selling point. 

But while her neighbors’ trees form a row, the tree in front of her home marches to the beat of its own drummer.

 

What You Need To Know

  • The Kew Gardens tree is the city's property because it's growing in the middle of the sidewalk

  • Homeowner Leora Katayev said she has called 311 repeatedly inquiring about removing the tree

  • But she said because it's a healthy tree the Parks Department sees no reason to take it down

  • Katayev said to dodge the tree, most people step onto her property. She fears when winter comes and her driveway gets icy, she could be liable if someone slips and falls

 

“The tree is a pimple in the middle of the sidewalk,” said Katayev.

Katayev said most people dodging the tree step onto her property. She fears that when the weather turns cold and her driveway gets icy that she could be liable if someone slips and falls.

Because it's in the middle of the sidewalk, the tree is city property. Katayev has called 311 repeatedly to ask about removing it.

But she says the Parks Department — which inspects and maintains almost 700,000 street trees across the city — sees no reason to take it down because it is healthy.

“It’s just frustrating because, yes, it is a healthy tree, but it’s not in a safe place to begin with,” said Katayev.

The tree, a Chinkapin Oak, has a diameter of 25 inches and could be as much as 190 years old.

Last month, after a vicious thunderstorm took down several trees in the neighborhood, Katayev became more concerned that this oak might soon fall, too.

She pointed out that the the concrete is cracking around its roots.

“The leaves, the branches are so close to my windows that it could just fall onto my kids bedrooms,” said Katayev. “It’s a major concern."

Katayev said another concern is the tree creates a blind spot. You can’t see anyone walking towards you on the sidewalk — until you walk around the tree

“The Long Island Railroad is about a block and a half away. When it gets dark, people walking home, they’re on their cellphones or listening to music and you don’t see the person coming on the other end. It’s a little fear stricken,” said Katayev.

The Parks Department told NY1 it is reviewing the matter. Katayev hopes they'll take action. Until then, if you are walking in a certain neighborhood in Queens, keep your head up.