In recent weeks, the Brooklyn Botanical Garden has been overwhelmed with social media influencers aggressively shaking cherry blossom trees to get the perfect shot for their Instagram feed. Security guards have had to shoo away these petal pushers up to 50 times daily, as they climb trees, pluck blossoms, and yank branches to stage their photo ops. This behavior has drawn outrage from visitors and workers at the garden, who are appalled by the disrespect shown towards the trees in bloom.
The garden’s security guard, Frank Picarello, has expressed frustration at the repeat offenders who ignore warnings to not touch the trees. Despite efforts to educate visitors about respecting the garden’s environment, many choose to disobey the rules and continue their destructive behavior for the sake of capturing the perfect selfie. This ongoing issue has forced security personnel like Picarello to constantly intervene and protect the cherry blossom trees from further harm.
Certified arborist Rob Gillies has warned that manhandling the branches not only disrupts the natural beauty of the trees but can also damage them and shorten the period in which others can enjoy the blossoms. Nature-loving New Yorkers have expressed their disappointment at witnessing visitors damaging the trees for the sake of a quick photo opportunity. The selfish actions of the branch shakers have sparked concern among those who appreciate and value the beauty of nature.
Amidst the backlash, visitors like artist Tina Cernero have suggested that the garden authorities take more proactive measures to prevent such behavior in the future. Calls for clearer signage and warnings at the entrance have been made to educate visitors about the importance of respecting the garden’s flora and fauna. While the Brooklyn Botanical Garden has published warnings on its social media platforms, some visitors believe that more visible and direct communication is necessary to deter tree shakers and instill a sense of responsibility among all visitors.
Despite initially denying that tree shaking was a widespread issue, Elizabeth Reina-Longoria, the garden’s Director of Marketing and Communications, acknowledged the problem after being presented with evidence of the behavior. She emphasized that the majority of visitors are respectful, but acknowledged that some may not be aware of the rules. As discussions continue on how to address this challenge, efforts to protect the cherry blossom trees and preserve the natural beauty of the Brooklyn Botanical Garden remain a top priority for both staff and concerned visitors.
