wondering

I wonder if a tree is felled on Riverside Drive
 if their number is retired
 or 
reassigned to a sapling?  
What, you ask, 
made me wonder 
or 
even think about such an 
esoteric or is it existential thought?  

During our walk Sunday 
as we strolled down Riverside Drive
 on the Park side 

I noticed this


I walked closer to see who was nailing things to a living tree


It was a numbered disc


No. 437 is near 83rd Street 
its not between  No. 436 or No. 438, 
I believe - 
dont hold me to this my brain is leaking and I am not as annoyingly positive as I once was
 - it was next to No. 439

Trees are branded, but why?

What are you wondering about this Wednesday?


Edited to add:  I Googled tree tags and while there was nothing specific about Riverside Drive's trees, I found this .. click here