RUBIN'S PERSISTENCE ADDS 147 TREES TO COMMUNITY
Nearly 40 years of persistence can make a huge difference.
Take Burton Rubin. Since 1987, the local inventor has relentlessly called, filled out request forms, and doggedly followed up with 311 and various city agencies, all to fulfill a dream of having more public trees planted in the Kips Bay community near St. Vartan Park.
Through last week, Rubin's steadfast pursuit has been responsible for the addition of 147 street trees between East 25th and East 34th Streets. His most recent results include a row of five sidewalk Japanese Zelkova trees planted this spring on the east side of Second Avenue between 30th and 31st Streets.
Rubin's tree journey started 36 years ago, four blocks south of the park at 200 East 33rd Street. Rubin (above, outside the address on June 10) lived there at the time. Although the building's management did not support his request to place street trees outside the address, Rubin eventually won out when the city agreed to plant three Japanese Pagoda trees (one above).
Rubin, who has expertly pruned some 200 area trees, also works to bring sturdy and stylish tree guards to the community. He is particularly proud of the guards outside P.S. 116 on East 32nd Street, next door to the townhouse where famed graphic artist Milton Glaser had his studio.
On the school fence, Glaser (1929-2020) — designer of the I ❤️ NY and other iconic logos — created a tableau of tree art. Rubin followed with tree guards that reflect the Glaser motif (below, with Rubin).
