By Gus Saltonstall
A large tree crashed to the earth on the Upper West Side sometime late Tuesday or early Wednesday.
The tree fell backward on Central Park West, between West 94th and 95th streets, over the barrier to the park. Prior to its fall, the tree had been stationed on the sidewalk of Central Park West.
The force of the tree ripping out of its roots damaged the surrounding cobblestones and pavement.
Multiple people stopped to gawk and photograph the fallen tree on Wednesday morning. One teenager ducked the yellow tape and attempted to jump and touch the top of the stump after a debate over whether it was taller than a basketball hoop.
He didn’t reach it.
Google Maps imagery from August 2026 shows the tree had clearly been leaning backward.
Multiple “tree care” trucks cleaned up the scene Wednesday morning. The teams were cutting up the tree from its top side and loading the wooden carcass into vehicles.
Thanks to Mark Maas for tipping us off about the downed tree.
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forget the tree, what up with that lamppost? 😬
I get nervous walking under the heavy, sagging tree limbs.
Especially when all the parks department staff is capable of doing is putting up some caution tape after the fact.
Did anyone hear it fall ?
Asking for a friend.
well it’s not in the forest.