Tree Memorial for Kyle Cobey

NYC Tree Trust Guard Brochure

 NYC Tree Map 

It’s hard to believe that it’s been one year since our dear friend and brother, Kyle Cobey, has left this physical world. Kyle is loved and missed by many. Although he may be gone, his legacy lives on through the hearts of the people he has touched. On the anniversary of his death, I would like to share this GoFundMe page with those people.

In honor of Kyle, I am organizing a memorial by dedicating a NYC street tree in his name. Kyle was fascinated with the trees of New York City. He would always chat me up in the early mornings before I would leave for work and ask for tree count updates while we [NYC Parks & Rec] were conducting the street tree census. He had quite the inquisitive mind! He would always want to know all of the details and often times I would be late for work trying to answer all of his questions! He was just as passionate about the trees as I was and reminded me daily to never give up on keeping the trees happy and healthy. I thought by keeping his promise, having a tree in his name that friends and family can care for will be perfect. Loved ones can come and celebrate his life and plant flowers and care for his tree. Attached is the link for the NYC Tree Map that can be used to track stewardship for his tree which can be shared with everyone. I understand that it may be difficult for some to visit because we live all over, so I would like to have a custom plaque which will be installed on the tree guard (the  3-sided fencing made out of stainless steel and proprietary aluminum that protects the tree) that lists the names of each contributor. Along with the custom plaque of names, will be the custom memorial plaque (in color, most likely on white hard protected plastic as shown in the first picture) and custom stainless steel panels for the tree guard (done by Curb Allure- tree guard company the City uses) (see pictures, Style A is most likely). Although we don’t have the site confirmed as of yet, some possible suggestions were Zuccotti Park (which is unfortunately private), near McCarren Park, or outside of Brooklyn Bowl in Williamsburg.  If you have additional suggestions, just let me know!  Once the tree site has been confirmed and the tree guard has been installed (6-8 weeks once we receive the custom panels) it will be the FIRST memorial tree with custom tree guard panels done by Curb Allure in all of New York City!! 

The Goal
All funds of this campaign will go directly towards the costs of the customized stainless steel tree guard panels (shipped from overseas), materials for the frame of the guard, payments to the contractors to install the guard, tree maintenance materials, and custom plaques.  The total number is an estimated number discussed with my colleagues from the NYC Tree Trust. I attached the NYC Tree Trust Curb Allure Brochure for reference with pricing.  I suspect there will not be leftover funds, but in the rare occurrence, the funds can go towards tree bed flower plantings, mulch, etc. for the Spring. I would be happy to discuss this more if this is the case. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to reach out to me!

Thank you all so much for your love and support to honor our friend, Kyle. I know he would absolutely love it. All contributions are welcomed, and of course sharing is encouraged!

<3 <3 <3