60 New Street Trees: Midtown Kingston’s Greener Future

Imagine walking through Midtown Kingston on a hot summer afternoon and finding a stretch of shade where the sidewalk used to bake in the sun. That simple change is part of the promise behind a new city planting project. Kingston plans to add 60 native street trees in Midtown this fall.

Where the New Trees Will Go

Most are slated for Elmendorf Street between Flatbush Avenue and Broadway, along with intersecting portions of Ten Broeck Avenue, Bruyn Avenue and Smith Avenue. The city announced that planting would take place between October 15 and November 15, 2026. That means residents may soon notice new trees arriving on blocks where canopy is sparse.

Young trees will not transform a street overnight, but their long-term benefits can be substantial. As they mature, trees provide shade, help reduce summer heat, intercept rainfall and make walking routes more inviting. They can also soften the feel of heavily paved residential streets.

What Trees Can Do for a Neighborhood

The planned species include Kentucky coffeetree, blackgum, hackberry, yellowwood, shingle oak, American hornbeam and ironwood. All are to be approved by the city's urban forester and selected for local planting conditions. According to the city, the new trees are expected to stand roughly eight to twelve feet tall when planted.

The work also involves removing seven declining or hazardous trees and two existing stumps on Elmendorf Street. Removing an old tree can be disappointing, especially if neighbors remember its shade.

Officials say the selected trees have health, safety or invasive-species concerns.

Replacing Unhealthy Trees

The planting project is supported by a larger federal urban forestry grant awarded to Kingston in 2024. That funding also supports broader tree-management work, including pruning, removals and improving planting locations. For residents, the real story begins after planting day.

Young trees need time, appropriate growing space and continued care to reach their potential. Neighbors may want to watch how new plantings handle snow, salt, sidewalk conditions and dry periods.

What Happens After Planting Day

One useful way to follow the project is to compare the same block every year, recording how the canopy develops. Another is to learn which species were planted nearby and what their mature sizes may be. A greener Midtown is not only about appearance; it is about making everyday streets healthier and more comfortable.

For future generations, the shade created by a tree planted this fall could become an ordinary part of life that is easy to take for granted.

More Information

Official details: City of Kingston — Midtown Tree Planting Details