SAVE THE CHERRY TREES
The 2001 Cherry Tree Massacre

Mid Size Photo -53K Large Photo - 188K	Image 1. A series of photos taken on April 10, 2001 show the cherry trees of Remsen Park being systematically removed from the park, although the American Legion denies this, and calls it routine pruning.
Mid Size Photo - 59 Large Photo - 212K	Image 2. A limb of the cherry tree lies on the ground where it is being sliced into small logs. A pile of tree limbs is seen in the background.
Mid Size Photo - 53K Large Photo - 180K	Image 3. The limbs removed were healthy, and thick with buds.
Mid Size Photo - 60K Large Photo - 206K	Image 4. The exquisite cherry trees adorned this landmark cemetery dating back to New York's Colonial era. But the gentle arch formed by the tree limbs blocked the view of politicians that sit on a platform in the street during Memorial Day ceremonies.
Mid Size Photo - 58K Large Photo - 209K	Image 5. When newspaper reporters appeared on the scene, the Legionaries cutting the trees scampered away leaving piles of budding branches on the ground.
Mid Size Photo - 63K Large Photo - 223K	Image 6. Healthy cherry tree limbs piled on the ground.
Mid Size Photo - 65K Large Photo - 235K	Image 7. Branches in full bud strewn everywhere in the park.
Mid Size Photo - 63K Large Photo - 204K	Image 8. A particularly painful sight. A beautiful, healthy cherry tree in full bud hacked to pieces.
Mid Size Photo - 66K Large Photo - 239K	Image 9. The carnage of a once proud community treasure reduced to ruin.
Mid Size Photo - 73K Large Photo - 245K	Image 10. Well, the view for politicians has certainly improved.
Mid Size Photo - 69K Large Photo - 238K	Image 11. Thousands of cherry blossom buds laying on the ground, seen here up close, are clearly ready to burst into large firery flowers.
Mid Size Photo - 39K Large Photo - 130K	Image 12. Mayor Guiliani , as a mild rebuke to the American Legion, ordered the cherry tree limbs to remain on the ground for more then a month, hoping the public embarrassment would provide a lesson. News coverage of the event was extensive, so hundreds of people viewed the site and took home budding branches in hopes of rooting their own cherry trees. The American Legion seems to have learned the lesson. They returned in April 2003 to once again devistate the budding cherry trees. Only this time, they brought along a wood-chipper truck, and quickly stuffed the lopped off budding limbs into the chipper, instantly reducing any evidence to sawdust. Ah, the military mind, always solving problems with innovative strategies.