I'll add some more backstory based on what I know. After Hurricane Sandy, the city "cracked down" on trees. Meaning, the quality / grade of trees and the requirements for how they are planted increased in standards to provide for a safer situation. To buy a cost of a proper grade tree costs $1200-1800 based on variety, and then planting location, proximity to utilities or other landmarks, etc. all became much more important in context of extreme weather.

This is why I have a "nature" based approach to simply letting trees grow if the city won't plant. Problem sort of solves itself.