NYC Waterfalls Tree Body-Count Growing

Last year, when people started complaining that spray from Olafur Eliasson’s waterfalls was prematurely turning trees brown, officials assured everyone the salty, East River mist wouldn't cause any "long-term danger." (Though the Public Art Fund did pay to have the salt regularly cleaned off, and the waterfalls operating hours were reduced.) Well, now it looks like some of the damage may indeed have been permanent. Scott Stamford, general manager at the River Cafe (pictured), recently showed the Brooklyn Paper some sickly-looking trees on the property, which is right by the Brooklyn Bridge. Though other trees nearby are already budding, three weeping birches are showing "no sign of life at all." And according to Stamford, "an ornamental crab apple tree... is nowhere near where it should be at this time of year." To be sure, Spring has taken its time this year, but as Stamford points out, trees can also die slowly, and he's worried that "every season we may see fewer and fewer signs of life." Asked what the restaurant will do if the trees are in fact deceased, Stamford replied, "Well, the lawyers will have to figure that out."