A RESEARCH INITIATIVE BY ORIGINAL ROSE — NEW YORK CITY
The Arboreal Historical Society of New York City
Historical Tree Walks · Publications · Installations · Urban Forest Research — NYC
The Arboreal Historical Society of New York is a research-driven initiative dedicated to the study, documentation, and cultural interpretation of trees within New York City.
Operating at the intersection of urban forestry, landscape history, and public programming, the Society examines how trees shape civic life, neighborhood identity, and the physical evolution of the city. Through walks, publications, installations, and site-specific projects, the Society frames trees as living historical records embedded within the urban landscape.
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AREAS OF FOCUS
Urban Tree HistoryResearch into the planting, removal, and survival of trees across New York City, including park systems, street grids, and contested public spaces.
Landscape & InfrastructureAnalysis of how trees intersect with housing, transit, public works, and municipal planning.
Cultural MemoryExploring how trees carry social meaning, marking sites of protest, leisure, displacement, and everyday life.
Public EducationDeveloping accessible formats for sharing research through guided walks, printed matter, and live programs.
PROGRAMS
Guided WalksCurated walks focused on specific neighborhoods, parks, and tree populations. Each walk integrates botanical identification, historical research, and cultural context.
PublicationsZines and printed matter that document research, maps, timelines, and archival material related to New York City's urban forest.
Installations & EventsTemporary projects that bring attention to trees and plant systems within public-facing and cultural settings.
FROM THE ARCHIVE
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR PARKS
WALKS & PROJECTS
Tompkins Square Park Walk — Featured in The New York Times→
Apple Stand Exhibition & Zine→
Botanical Practice→
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