Bay Ridge couple says city tree poses threat to home, city hasn't helped
Multiple 311 complaints have been placed dating back to 2020. The most recent one was last month, but they say the city keeps closing the tickets without taking action.
A Bay Ridge couple says a city-owned tree hanging over their home has become a dangerous hazard, and despite years of complaints, the city has done little to address it.
Diane and Phil Savattieri, who have lived in their home for more than two decades, say they're constantly worried about large branches that extend over their roof.
“I see these branches that are basically dead, just hanging,” Diane said. “I’m always afraid they’re going to fall on the house.”
Phil Savattieri says the issue has been ongoing for years.
“About five or six years ago, I noticed the tree was getting even larger,” he said. “It was extending over my house, the neighbors’, the driveway. So I got a bit concerned and started putting in 311 calls.”
Multiple 311 complaints have been placed dating back to 2020. The most recent one was last month, but they say the city keeps closing the tickets without taking action.
An email from the New York City Parks Department in 2022 stated the tree was in good condition as of 2021 and was scheduled for routine pruning in fiscal year 2024. As of August 2025, the couple says nothing has been done.
Two weeks ago, Phil Savattieri reported dangerous branches on a tree across the street. He said city crews responded promptly, arriving with two trucks and removing the limbs within an hour—saying his tree remained untouched.
"Why didn't they just spend another 20 minutes and cut down some of the branches on my roof," he says.
The couple says they looked into pruning the tree themselves, but because it’s on city property, they would need to apply for a permit and pay for the work out of pocket.
“I don’t have a couple thousand dollars to do this,” says Phil Savattieri. “Our neighbors are all concerned, and they kind of make it sound like it’s our tree. But it’s the city’s tree. We really need the city to step up, because we can’t take care of it ourselves," added his wife.
Sources say that the tree was recently inspected in June and considered "low risk." Additionally, it's expected to be pruned in this fiscal year.
