New York Botanical Garden CEO Beholds Black Oak in Scarsdale

NYBG CEO Jennifer Bernstein and Bill Roberts in front of an historic black oak tree at 21 Autenrieth Road. The life of the tree will be endangered by a renovation to the home that was approved by the Board of Architectural Review. (Photo Credit: Cynthia Roberts)
Jennifer Bernstein, CEO and President of the New York Botanical Garden (NYBG), came to Scarsdale this week to behold the healthy and historic black oak tree at 21 Autenrieth Road.

Ms. Bernstein elucidated the extraordinary value this oak adds to our Scarsdale ecosystem:

“Mature trees like this beautiful black oak provide critical environmental services including oxygen, shade, stormwater mitigation, and wildlife habitat. Scarsdale is a part of the Bronx River watershed, and like all communities within the watershed, the treatment Scarsdale affords its mature trees has ramifications beyond its borders. NYBG strives to educate our surrounding communities that healthy trees and healthy yards contribute to a healthy river and ecosystem.”

During her visit Ms. Bernstein stressed the particular value of oak trees and recommended that residents read Professor Douglas W. Tallamy’s 2021 book, The Nature of Oaks. According to Professor Tallamy, “Oak trees support more forms of life and more fascinating interactions than any other tree genus in North America.”

Unfortunately, the future of this oak tree is threatened because the Scarsdale Board of Architectural Review (BAR) recently voted to approve a development plan for the house at 21 Autenrieth Road that includes constructing a new garage and driveway in the front yard near the tree. Neighbors had presented expert evidence that the most protective measure for this tree would be to keep all construction disturbance out of the tree’s 58-foot dripline, but the approved project will bring disturbance within 25 feet of the tree.