2023-12-19 18:18:05
Hidden in a corner of Central Park lives a tree that if you pass by there at the right time of year he will share with you his secret identity as Christmas tree in memory of pets. The tree shines with hundreds of laminated photos, notes, ornaments and mementos of deceased pets.
There’s Milo, commemorated as “A Good Boy,” and the “Al Dente Brothers,” who are “loved forever.” There’s also Sherman the Eastern Box Turtle, Geo the Fish, and Miss Parker, the “fearless, independent, fun-loving” squirrel from Central Park.
The pine tree is decorated each year by the “Tree Guardian” and volunteers. Photo: Dave Sanders/The New York Times
Decorated each year by the “Tree Keeper” and volunteers, the tree is a public expression of love on display between Thanksgiving and Three Kings Dayin January.
The caretaker then saves each keepsake to put back at subsequent parties.
Dozens of new memories for the tree arrived Saturday, as a group led by the Central Park New York chapter of Ever Walk, a hiking initiative that spans the United States and abroad, walked along the Ramble to the undisclosed location.
In the crowd, Kendra Oleckna, her husband, Robert Foote, and their one-year-old Pomeranian, Stansha Rebotska, were preparing to hang a monument in memory of their beloved Jazz, another Pomeranian who died a year ago.
They described Jazz as a brave and handsome boy; He was the couple’s best friend and caregiver, who loved Mexican restaurants.
Dozens of new memories arrived this year. Photo: Dave Sanders/The New York Times
Last month, Larry Closs, writer and photographer, published an article about the story of the treel, which dates back to the ’80s, when casting director Jason Reddock, walking his dog along Ramble, saw a tree with dog toys.
The next day, Reddock was out walking his dog again, accompanied by actress Nicki Gallas and her dog, when she saw him too. They began the tradition of returning to the tree and Bring your own decorations and souvenirs.
“Since the tree was evergreen, and since Christmas was only a few weeks away, the couple decided it was a Christmas tree and thus the Christmas tree was born in memory of pets,” Closs wrote.
“It’s always extremely moving and emotional when someone comes and has, I call them, memories, mementos,” he said. “You see them put them on the tree, you know, and inevitably the tears follow. And it’s hard not to get emotional under those circumstances.”
Miss Parker, a squirrel, also has her place in the tree. Photo: Dave Sanders/The New York Times
Marianne Larsen, The tree’s current caretaker, who took over from Reddock about five years ago after walking became too difficult for her, said the pandemic was “the great instigator” from the recent avalanche of photos.
“In 2020, we added 200 photos“he said. “In 2021, it was another 200, and in 2022, another 200. So now we are over 600, and I think after today, we could be at least 750.”
The tree’s location was kept secret for decades, and remains largely unknown. It has to be found by chance, or someone has to know where to look.
Standing by the tree with his dog Ulla on Saturday, Larsen said part of the joy is finding out.
“You walk by and you say, ‘What is that?’ And if you take a moment to walk in, you’ll see that it’s a memorial tree because some people think it’s just a celebratory Christmas tree, but it’s not.”
The pandemic was “the great instigator” of the recent avalanche of photos. Photo: Dave Sanders/The New York Times
Larsen says even people who have moved from New York stop by during the holidays to visit the memorials they left behind.
Kelli Lipson, her boyfriend, Jorn Santegoeds, and their dog, Jakes, a 7-year-old Boston terrier mix, approached the tree with a photo in hand. In the photo it was Nando, the 5-year-old French bulldog of the couple, who died of a brain tumor in August.
Lipson said Nando had not only changed their lives, but those of other dogs, as his short life had inspired them. to start sheltering pets.
“I will never buy another dog again,” he says. He did a lot of good for the world, so we want to pay tribute to him.”
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