ENTS,

One of NYC's biggest and oldest trees is an English Elm (Ulmus
procera) in 9.75 acre Washington Square Park, Greenwich Village,
Manhattan. NYC Parks Dept. records the height at 135' and the diameter
at 63".

The site of the park was originally a marsh, then a tobacco field
until 1797 when it became a Potter's Field and site of Public
Executions. Allegedly, the English Elm was used for hangings, giving
it the fond nickname "Hangman's Elm".

Me and the English Elm

It became a public park in 1827 and the marble arch was constructed
from 1890-92.

One of my favorite NYC views was seeing  the WTC buildings through the
arch.  But over time, the view of the arch by itself has become
impressive. 1 pic of arch and WTC, 3 Pix of the Elm,  

Black Locust

4 pics of alien looking tree
- maybe Black Locust? All have captions.

http://picasaweb.google.com/JennifDudley/WashingtonSquarePark?feat=directlink#

Jenny