Scarsdale's Tree Canopy is Rapidly Disappearing: Here's Why
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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Scarsdale’s tree canopy is rapidly disappearing. The number of trees lost is alarming as tree roots mitigate flooding and leafy canopies serve to cool the atmosphere and improve air quality at a time when global warming and flooding pose risks to our environment.
Though Scarsdale strengthened the code for tree removals a few years ago, it appears these laws have not gone far enough to protect the Village in a Park.
The numbers are shocking:
• In 2024, 272 tree removal permits were issued by the Engineering Department for the removal of 793 trees.
• These permits required the replanting of a total of 242 trees and a donation in lieu of planting of $10,500.
• 551 trees (70%) that were permitted to be removed, did not require replacement (per Village Code) due to:
1. They were certified by an arborist as being dead, diseased or dying
2. They were as of right (2 trees per year)
3. The trees being removed were less than 6” dbh (Diameter at Breast Height)
4. The trees were identified as being an invasive species (ie, Norway Maple)
These counts to do not include any trees that were removed without permits.
So, it seems that the wide scale attack on trees is due to a lack of enforcement and the fact that so many trees were either too small or deemed “invasive” and therefore taken down without replacement.
This was the subject of a work session of the Village Board on March 25.
At the session, the Village Board offered the Department of Public Works an additional $30,000 to step up enforcement to permit an arborist to visit a property before trees were removed, and to visit afterwards to confirm that the required number of trees are replaced.
However, Supervisor Jeff Coleman said that this was already being done by the Village arborist. Coleman contended that the loss of trees was due to the current Village code that permits removal of many trees and that some take down trees without permits or on weekends and do not report the removals.
Instead of additional funding, he recommended that all tree surgeons be required to be licensed by the Village and that the tree code be strengthened to prevent removals.
Specifically he said, “Currently, there is sufficient funding requested in the 2025/2026 budget for the consultant arborist to fulfil the scope of services required to support the Department. We do not recommend the wholesale increase in days per month as it will not yield a significant (if any) increase in the number of trees being planted on private property throughout the Village. As noted, the Village Code does not require planting replacement trees under certain circumstances, which constitute the majority of removals. If it is the Viilage’s desire to increase the number of trees planted on private property, the Village Code should be revisited.
It should be noted that, given the complexity of the tree removal permit process and to increase compliance with the Village Code, the Department is working with the Village Attorney to draft a local law to require tree surgeons to be licensed by the village annually.”
Trustees agreed that the code should be re-examined and enforcement stepped us. Dara Gruenberg said, "I would like to re-examine the tree code next year." Justin Arest said, "I believe enforcement is the key issue. This would give us teeth in enforcement.” With respect to Coleman’s idea to license tree surgeons, Arest stated that should have a provision where if a tree surgeon breaks the law they should lose their license. And Karen Brew said, "I think this should be more punitive for those who violate the code. Is someone surveying the trees beforehand and afterwards?"
There were several members present who participated in public discussion of Scarsdale’s quickly shrinking tree canopy and how to address it. Michelle Sterling said, “We currently have a 1/3 tree replacement rate. If this continues at this rate we will lose our tree canopy and all of the benefits that come from it. We need to have enforcement that site-checks every tree permit both before the permit’s approval and after the removal to make sure the replacements have gone in. We have cases where people file to take out one tree and take out many more than that. We have cases where a replacement is required and instead of planting a canopy tree a bush or an arbovitae is planted. And then there are cases where the replanting just isn’t done. Without enforcement our canopy will be lost.”
Lena Crandall and Madelaine Eppenstein were present and agreed. Madelaine Eppenstein added that there are currently too many exceptions in the code that allowed for tree removals without replacement, and that the code needs to be strengthened immediately.
Despite Coleman’s contention that enforcement is in place, an application before the Planning Board on Wednesday March 26, 2025 offered a stark illustration of a failure of the current system.
At the 3-26 Planning Board meeting the developer of a subdivided property at 2 Cooper Road appeared to amend a 2019 subdivision site plan 
The re-planting plan for 2 Cooper Road was ignored.after the fact. He had already clear cut the property, removing many large deciduous trees without permission and failing to replace them with over 50 blackberry, red maple, hackberry, beech, junipers, laurels, red cedar, and cryptomeria as outlined in the plan. See what was specified here.
Instead, the 1.16 acre property was clear cut and ringed with arborvitae and hemlock trees. The plan to re-plant was ignored.
In addition, the site plan included a single curb cut on Cooper Road but the builder went for a circular driveway and built an additional curb cut within feet of a busy corner. New curb cuts require traffic studies and permits.
Now five years later, after the property was sold, the developer seemed surprised that the original plan could not be amended. He offered to pay a fine but the Planning Board ruled that he should submit a new arborist plan accounting for removal and new plantings and a traffic engineer report for illegal curb cut.
The loss of trees is staggering and so is the developer’s blatant disregard for Village code.
Commenting on the article, Bob Miller of Benedict Road said:
To the Editor,
I am lifelong Scarsdale resident and regularly notice how the loss of trees erodes the character and charm of our town. Adding to the comments about homes, may I also note that the "buffer woods" around public spaces (such as schools and fields) are littered with dead trees and trees being choked to death by vines/roots that have grown out of control.
I see the similar problems in the Read Sanctuary in Rye, Saxon Woods Park, the Larchmont Reservoir, along parkways, and in other county public green spaces.
A great project for schools, scouts, summer jobs, and the like would be managing decaying organic matter and planting new trees in these public buffer zones. Doing so would strengthen our tree population, improve drainage, restore habitats, improve air quality, and reduce noise. In addition, such projects would elevate civic engagement, promote healthy outdoor activity, and create work opportunities.
Thanks for listening.
Regards,
Bob Miller
19 Benedict Road, Scarsdale
Police: An Accident Closes Post Road and a Sting Operation in New Rochelle
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1108 Post Road, ScarsdaleThis in from the Scarsdale and New Rochelle Police:
A portion of the northbound Post Road between Murray Hill Road and Fenimore Road was closed on the afternoon of March 17 after a serious car accident.
According to the police report, at 2:27 pm, a woman driving north on the Post Road in a 2024 Jeep collided with a fence just south of 1108 Post Road. The car broke the fence and came to a stop when it was wedged into the stream that runs along Post Road. The Jeep was found balancing on a retaining wall.
The 43 year-old Cushman Road resident who was driving the Jeep was taken to White Plains emergency room for medical attention. A tow company removed the Jeep from the retaining wall.
Fatality on Pinebrook Boulevard
On March 18th, 2025, at about 7:54am, New Rochelle Police responded to Pinebrook Blvd and Amherst drive on a report of an Auto/Pedestrian accident with serious injury. Upon arrival, Officers found that a 73-year-old female pedestrian, who was walking Northbound on Pinebrook Blvd, was hit by a vehicle also traveling Northbound.
New Rochelle Fire Department as well as ambulance personnel responded and rendered aid to the pedestrian before transporting her to a local hospital, where she later succumbed to her injuries. The driver, a 23-year-old female, was on scene and cooperated fully with the investigation. There are no criminal charges at this time. The names of those involved are being withheld at this time. The New Rochelle Police Department sends its condolences to the victim of this accident.
New Rochelle Police Arrest Suspect in Child Grooming Sting Operation
On March 18, 2025 the New Rochelle Police Department announced the arrest of Marco A Chavez, a 31-year-old resident of New Rochelle, by members of the Criminal Investigations Division. The arrest follows an investigation into allegations of inappropriate conduct involving a minor, culminating in a successful sting operation on March 15, 2025.
The investigation began on February 25, 2025, when a 16-year-old female and her mother filed a complaint with the New Rochelle Police Department. The complainants alleged that Mr. Chavez had sent inappropriate text messages to the minor. Detectives from the Criminal Investigations Division reviewed evidence that indicated Mr. Chavez was attempting to groom the victim for sexual activity.
Detectives then employed a department-issued cellular phone to engage in communication with Mr. Chavez, posing as the 16-year-old. Over the course of several exchanges, the suspect’s messages became increasingly sexual in nature, providing critical evidence of his intent. Based on this communication, detectives organized a sting operation to apprehend the suspect.
Mr. Chavez agreed to meet the individual he believed to be the minor at a local park. On March 15, 2025, at approximately 9:20 p.m., Mr. Chavez arrived at the designated location via taxi and was immediately taken into custody. A search of his person revealed cocaine, alcohol, and condoms, further compounding the severity of his actions.
The investigation remains ongoing, and anyone with additional information is urged to contact the New Rochelle Police Department at 914-654-2300.
PT Council Executive Committee Comments on Proposed 2025-26 School Budget
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(The following statement was submitted to the Board of Education at the March 3, 2025 meeting)
The Scarsdale Parent-Teacher Council Executive Committee (PTC EC) and the PT Council Budget Study Chairs would like to thank the district administration and Board of Education for hosting Budget Study Session #1 and #2 for the community. We believe that transparency, and early and ongoing communication with District parents and the Scarsdale community is essential to a comprehensive and effective budget process. We would like to provide some general comments.
By way of background, part of our budget study process for the 2025-26 fiscal year, the PTC EC and Budget Study Chairs are working closely with representatives from all seven Scarsdale schools to identify key initiatives, issues, and budget items that reflect the priorities of the broader school communities. Additionally, you may receive input from school-based PTA Budget Study representatives regarding specific requests for individual schools.
The PTC EC and Budget Study Chairs appreciate the transparency in identifying areas for the community’s consideration as it relates to potential reductions to close the gap toward achieving a budget at or below this year’s Tax Cap. Controlled spending is now apparently needed as informed by the initial budget assessment coupled with the five-year projection to maintain fund balances, continued fiscal responsibility and to remain below the Tax Cap. Thank you for your continued focus on this effort as reflected in the Budget Study Session #2.
Given that the recent spending trajectory, as outlined in the Long-Range Financial Planning presentation, projects an operating deficit in the 2027-2028 fiscal year, the PTC appreciates the administration’s efforts to suggest prioritized spending cuts in an effort to avoid a negative fund balance. Along with setting expectations that a reduction in spending requires careful consideration of what can be left out of the budget the PTC EC and Budget Study Chairs request that the administration do this in a way that has the least impact to the student population and explore creative options that are strategic in nature and provide long term benefit. One such area is to explore further analysis to creatively provide employee benefits with guardrails to maintain it as a business and to pursue current and additional revenue streams. Sports are an important part of the student experience, well being and part of the school community, broader community and team spirit. Cuts at this level are less desirable than finding areas of budget reduction that don’t directly impact the student experience or uncovering creative ways to increase revenues. We appreciate the focus to maintain sports in general including those outside of the section 1 category.
Aging playgrounds have been included in the budget and should remain a priority since replacement is paramount for maintaining their safety as they have exceeded their expected lifespan. But all capital projects should be closely assessed to address a strategic rollout to spread funding out over time with consideration of the dwindling reserves and maintain a fiscally responsible bottom line.
The PTC is impressed with the district’s ongoing commitment to effective technology usage policies in the Scarsdale schools and staying attuned with state requirements. With the current "Off and Away" policy at the elementary and middle school levels, and the use of cell phone caddies at the high school, our practices are among the best in the region. We encourage the district to continue monitoring Governor Hochul’s priorities, particularly her focus on the rollout of the “bell-to-bell” ban on personal devices, understanding at this time the state will assist in funding.
The PTC EC and Budget Study Chairs are strong proponents of maintaining small class sizes, providing comprehensive student support, and promoting teaching practices that nurture the development of the whole child. We advocate for initiatives that prioritize student mental health, well-being, and the creation of an inclusive environment where all students feel a sense of belonging within our diverse community. Furthermore, we endorse a continued commitment to the creation and implementation of innovative, best-in-class curriculum practices, and encourage ongoing professional development to strengthen these critical elements of the student experience. We ask for continued transparency in new developments and curriculum changes as well as being informed of benchmarking demonstrating effectiveness of specific programming.
Over the next few weeks, as the Board of Education and the District work through the Budget Priorities for the 2025 -2026 school year we ask that you continue to keep our students as the driving priority. Our planning must allow for us to maintain the current instruction levels as well as allow for the growth in areas previously defined but to also give consideration to resources needed to successfully communicate and rollout new programs strategically while allowing us to properly finance the infrastructure and capital projects that continue to increase year over year and while maintaining the safety of the schools through technology and keeping with changing and advancing trends. We ask that you assess the health plan cost increases to get to the root cause of growth and look at possible guardrails that may put reasonable caps on claims. While we want staff and teachers to have the best plan possible we ask that you consider changing practices that may best serve the budget and long term balance sheet. We ask that you look at cutting spending on physical materials that can be postponed to next year or beyond such as desks or other office furniture that are not essential to learning, reasonable comfort or safety. While fields are important to support our sports programs we ask that the administration look at the responsible rollout of spend on field work that will come from the school budget. Understanding that flooding is a concern at the High School it is important to look at how this flood mitigation budget responsibility is shared with the town and made transparent through any spend The town has put aside some funds and the school budget for 2024-2025 has indicated $950,000 for stormwater mitigation projects at the High School. We encourage you to continue engaging the community this budget season so that the budget reflects a shared goal for our District as we move forward. The PTC EC and Budget Study chairs look forward to engaging in this work with you.
The PT Council Executive Committee and Budget Study Chairs:
Meryl Satler, PT Council President
Erica German, PT Council President-Elect
Jeanette Rosen, PT Council Secretary
Shilpa Spencer, PT Council Treasurer
Cindy Yau, SHS PTA President
Emily Hira, SMS PTA President
Andrea Burinescu, Heathcote PTA President
Eul Hui, Fox Meadow PTA Co-President
Katy Goldman, Fox Meadow PTA Co-President
Tulika Khemani, Greenacres PTA President
Katie Garvey, Edgewood PTA Co-President
Jessy Li, Edgewood PTA Co-President
Lindsay Forschner, Quaker Ridge PTA President
Irena Turner, PTC Budget Study Co-Chair
Ranjana Saini-Chandarana, PTC Budget Study Co-Chair
Students Appeal To BOE To Continue To Offer Multivariable Calculus As An In-Person Course
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In a continuing parade of students defending programming at the high school. a group of math students appeared before the Scarsdale Board of Education on Monday March 10, 2025 to ask the Board to continue to provide a math teacher to teach a Multivariable Calculus class in person at the school.
The course is not in the regular math course sequence and was only available as an online option until last year when a math teacher was retained to teach the course. With the budget under pressure for the coming school year, the proposed 2025-26 budget returns this to an online course.
However the students advocated for the continuance of the in person course, citing collaboration, community and a better learning environment.
Here are excerpts from some of their comments:
Brian Zhao said he was concerned about the elimination of the course. He said, “Over 10 students want to take this course. Removing the course is like building a ladder and then halfway up removing the ladder. This is one of the most cost-effective classes we can run.
It builds a culture. A passion for learning is not just allowed, it is celebrated. It’s okay that not every student takes this course.”
Kevin Dong of 15 Elm Road said, “I understand and deeply respect the concerns raised about accessibility — that requiring students to skip a math level to reach Multivariable Calculus can create barriers. But removing the class altogether doesn’t solve the equity issue — in fact, it risks making it worse.
The proposed alternative — requiring students to take an outside course, such as those offered by CTY — comes with a price tag of $1,500 to $3,000. That is not an accessible solution.
Right now, Multivariable Calculus is a rigorous, in-person, teacher-guided class offered for free by our district. It is a pathway for students who are passionate about STEM, who have already completed Calculus BC, and who are ready for the next challenge.
Eliminating it would be closing a door that many students have worked years to reach.
If equity is the goal, then let’s work to expand access to advanced math — not remove it entirely.
It’s also worth noting that we already have courses in our school — such as advanced history or honors tracks — that require tests or prerequisites. We haven’t removed those classes because not everyone can take them. Instead, we’ve kept them. Why should math be any different?
Every student deserves the chance to be challenged and to grow. Let’s not take away an opportunity just because not everyone can access it right now. Instead, let’s commit to making sure more students can.”
Ada Langford, a junior from Stonehouse Road also supported the continuation of the Multivariable Calculus class at SHS.
She said, “I’ve always had a strong passion for math, and I love how rigorous and fulfilling our current math courses are. The challenges and depth in these classes push us to think critically and grow intellectually. Offering the Multivariable Calculus class would continue that path of academic rigor for me over all 4 years of high school. It would allow me and 9 other confirmed students to explore advanced topics and develop a deeper understanding of mathematics.
In addition to the many issues with the alternative online courses that Kevin outlined, I want to bring attention to one other important detail. I find the math teachers at SHS extremely passionate and knowledgeable, and I often go to them for extra help to get a better understanding of the material. Many times, I have gone to teachers to discuss how to apply the math we learn to other subjects or hobbies of mine, such as robotics. This outside-of-class help isn’t something that is as easily available if we were to take an online course.
In addition, there is a certain level of collaboration with peers that is hard to replicate in an online setting. Being able to work through challenging problems together, bounce ideas off each other, and build a deeper understanding through discussion is invaluable.”
Chen Lei of Potter Road said, “I have developed a strong passion for math since 2nd grade and the rigorous, comprehensive, and engaging curriculum for math here at Scarsdale really helped me pursue further in this area that I love.
As I go into my fourth year of high school, I would really want to continue this path of academic rigor that would allow me and 9 other equally passionate students to dive deeper into advanced topics and develop a deeper understanding of math, and we think that a Multivariable Calculus class here at SHS will be a perfect fit.
In addition to Ada’s comment, I also want to emphasize that one of the most exciting things about math class is the opportunity for discussion and in-person engagement. And that’s a big part of why I love math—because I get to collaborate with others, develop teamwork and problem-solving skills, and work through challenges together. The close relations with teachers here at SHS are also a fundamental thing that I value in my process of learning, as they are extremely accessible and helpful whenever I have any questions. However, the online course would simply fail to offer any of those.
Finally, I would like to note that this multivariable class isn’t just for me or for the class of 2026, but in the future it would also serve many more passionate SHS students who want to dive deeper into math. I’m a part of the Scarsdale Math Team, and I’m already seeing many underclassmen who would actively engage in math and would also be in the same position as us a few years later.
I think the continuation of the multivariable class shouldn’t be seen as a privilege to a certain group of people, but rather it fosters the diversity of Scarsdale because it shows that we care about every student who’s interested in math and is willing to provide the opportunity to let their passion grow just like we do for any other subject or sport.”
Resident Claudine Gecel of Kent Road said, “I want to support the students who spoke about math. When you visit some schools (colleges) –- they think a poor job is being done with math. We are not giving our students they background they need.”
Responding to the students, Superintendent Drew Patrick said, “This was the first year we assigned a teacher to the Multivariable Calculus class. Last year we did budget to add teaching support to a course that has long been available at SHS but through an independent study. In our proposed budget we are moving back to the independent course. We will continue to offer the four AT math courses, Stats, BC Calculus, AB Calculus and Linear Algebra.” Watch the meeting here.
Dredging at the Duck Pond Will Restore Its Natural Beauty
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We noticed some men submerged in the Duck Pond on Heathcote Road and stopped by to see what was going on. It turns out that work to restore the beauty of this Scarsdale landmark is now in process. The pond is privately owned by the Heathcote Association. For the past few years it has been clogged with algae which prevented the fountains from running and the water from recirculating.
We received several complaints from residents. Here’s one from 2024:
“The water is now covered with a film of algae, with a foul order and is no longer an attractive destination for residents. For decades there were 2 or 3 water fountains that every spring, summer and fall sprayed and circulated water and were illuminated at sunset. This little park was a beautiful setting for locals to walk or drive to in the evening and weekends and was often a backdrop for pictures of wedding parties, etc. We would also see many ducks and other birds in the park. This is not possible today because of its swamp-like decayed and deteriorating condition.
I was astonished to learn this property is privately owned and the Village has no authority to maintain it in the dignified and appropriate manner so appropriate as the center of our “Village in a Park.” The Village advised the pond and surrounding land are owned by The Heathcote Association, a private entity.”
At the time, the President of the Heathcote Association acknowledged that “the neighborhood association does own the pond and maintained it for years. But now there is considerable sediment on the bottom and it needs to be dredged. If not, the sediment will clog the fountains (bubblers) and break them."
In December 2024 a permit was issued by the DEC to the Heathcote Association and currently New England Aquatic Services is dredging the pond. They are there now, waist deep in the water, removing debris to allow the fountains to run. 
Some of the work is being done by hand, with help from larger equipment to clear the bottom of the pond which appears to be made of clay.
The work is expected to take a few weeks and hopefully the fountains will run again and keep the pond clear of algae and debris.
