Downtown, in the heart of New York City’s hustle and bustle, is Brookfield Place. A cultural hub for dining, shopping and year-round arts and events. At the heart of Brookfield Place, you find the indoor Winter Garden atrium and its sixteen soaring Washingtonia Palms.

This summer the palms trees are slated for removal and replanting. Spoiler alert: this replanting is cyclical and occurs every ten or so years. The history and horticulture of this replanting, however, is storied.

OUR PALMS' HISTORY

The first set of palm trees were introduced in 1988. The original trees experienced horticultural challenges, requiring consultation from the New York Botanical Gardens. Around the same time, an innovative horticulturalist by the name of John Mini developed the New York Botanical Garden’s indoor horticulture certification program. The New York Botanical Gardens and John’s company, John Mini Distinctive Landscapes, teamed up to revive the Winter Garden palm trees and determine a lifespan for each set.

A SYMBOL OF RESILIENCE

Over the years, multiple sets of palms thrived in the Winter Garden. Each set of trees, while different in genetics, are unified in story. These palm trees are iconic and beloved by New Yorkers. At moments the trees lifted to national fame. The August 13, 2002 cover of the New York Times reads ‘Palms Return to an Island (Manhattan)’, telling the story of the palms return to and reopening of the Winter Garden atrium following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The story not only amplified the hard work and dedication of Brookfield and all workers in the area, but also transcended the palm trees into a symbol of resilience for the entire country as they stood tall again.

ABOUT OUR PALMS

Every ten years, give or take, the trees are replanted for safety. Outdoors, the fibrous trunks of Washingtonia Palms strengthen through ‘exercise’ thanks to elements such as wind and rain. Inside the atrium, the trees’ flexibility isn’t developed while they grow at a rate of about 1-2’ a year. This dictates the requirement to replant once the trees reach 55’ to 60’ in height.

The current set of palms, planted in 2013, serve the millions that visit. On a cold winter night, you may find locals socializing under this tropical oasis. During the dog days of summer, you’ll find employees of nearby tenants underneath the trees seeking a moment of respite from their busy days.

Now, sixteen younger palms eagerly await their service in the Winter Garden. John Mini Distinctive Landscapes, the sourcing, horticultural, and installation partner for these palms since the 90’s, leads the project. A project 3 years in the making.

HOW WE DO IT

In 2021 the John Mini team and their trusted partner, Ben Magrill of Pahokee Palms, began the search for the next crop of Winter Garden palms. Nearly 10 agricultural fields of palm trees were visited all over the southern half of Florida. A field of Washingtonia Palms with viable heights, aesthetics, health and age was selected. Through wildlife challenges and the extreme heat of Florida, the team assessed over 2,000 trees in this one field to identify possible trees for the Winter Garden. Selected trees were dug and transported to Pahokee Palms nursery.

BUILDING THE SHADE HOUSE

Here, with Brookfield’s vision, the John Mini team and Pahokee Palms designed and built a 48’ shade house, the largest of its kind. A shade house is a crucial element that allows tropical plants and trees to transition from outdoor environments to indoor environments with lower light intensity, quality and duration. This shade house was built around the palm trees, providing filtered sun to harden them for several months in preparation of their new home in the Winter Garden.

WHAT'S NEXT

Come July, the trees will be ready. To minimize the impact on Brookfield Place’s tenants, residents and visitors, this complex delivery and installation is precisely executed to 2 weeks of overnight work. We’ll start by removing the current set of palm trees. They are repurposed into mulch and utilized around sixteen native trees planted to honor their part in the ongoing legacy of the Winter Garden Palms. There will be just over a week in which the Winter Garden will have no tree, a blip in their long life in the atrium. During the second week the new trees are shipped, received and planted in a highly coordinated symphony. Behind the scenes at night, the John Mini team fastidiously monitors and increases their horticulture visits for the months following the planting.

Before you know it, the two weeks will be done. New trees will be planted. The Winter Garden will be whole again. And, the story of the palms continues.