National Arbor Day | Tree Planting for City Dwellers
In the last 50 years, the Arbor Day Foundation has planted and distributed nearly 500 million trees in more than 50 countries around the world to fight global issues facing humankind. The simple mission of inspiring people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees continues to have an immense impact all over the globe.
This Arbor Day, we are reminded of the numerous benefits trees can provide us - cleaner air and water, wildlife habitation, noise reduction, and of course, curb appeal. Below, find our guide to tree planting in the city - from preferred tree species to local planting programs.
Getting A Tree Planted
Programs in Chicago provide new trees and replace trees lost on city blocks to residents with the condition that residents put in the time and work to maintain the tree once it’s planted. We want to help you become an active steward of Chicago’s urban forest, which is why we’ve created this guide to help you find trees in Chicago through one of the programs offered to residents.
Chicago 311
Chicago residents looking to plant a tree in their neighborhood can contact Chicago’s 3-1-1 service. The process is simple, and residents can simply call 3-1-1 or submit a request online with their address. Once the request is approved, the Bureau of Forestry will plant a tree along the public right-of-way in your neighborhood.
Openlands TreePlanters Grants
Openlands TreePlanters Grants provide new trees to communities in the City of Chicago and the near south suburbs. The grants encourage resilience through planting trees and creating a network of neighbors to care for the trees. The TreePlanters Grant program was designed to facilitate conversations about trees between neighbors and to create a community of tree advocacy in Chicago’s neighborhoods.
Chicago Region Trees Initiative Program
As part of the Plant Trees for Communities Initiative with the Chicago Region Trees Initiative (CRTI), of which Openlands is a founding member, individuals are invited to plant at least one tree in every local community in the seven-county Chicago region and in each of the 50 Chicago wards (approx. 340 trees) in 2021. The Openlands Forestry team has partnered with CRTI’s program through the TreePlanters Grant.
Each tree kit from CRTI comes with instructions on how to plant, mulch, and water your tree, along with a tree tag and tree owner’s manual. This program is a great option for anyone with tree planting experience who feels confident about their ability to manage the entire tree planting process, from planting to watering and mulching over a span of three years.
Purchase a Tree at the Openlands Native Tree and Plant Sale
The Openlands Native Tree and Plant Sale offers a wide variety of native trees for purchase that are not available at most big-box stores and nurseries. The Native Tree and Plant Sale is an excellent place to find more specific varieties of native trees that might not be available through one of the public tree planting programs.
Public vs. Private Planting
Individuals can plant anywhere in their yard, as long as the tree is at least one foot away from the sidewalk. To understand the best way to plant a tree, watch this video of Tom Ebeling, Openlands Community Arborist, who takes you through the step-by-step process and speaks to best practices.
Recommended Trees
This North American native has a rich history of providing flavorful wood, hickory nuts (distant cousins to the pecan), and bountiful shade. It also stands front and center as an American icon in the fall, when its leaves turn bright yellow and golden brown. This species is slow to grow into its shade tree lineage, but once it reaches full maturity, it can stand at up to 90 feet tall and 70 feet wide. The hickory nuts that this tree produces after its fledgling years can be eaten right out of the shell or used in a variety of recipes, including nut muffins.
Grass Parkways
Preferred
Bloodgood London Planetree
Columbia London Planetree
Burr Oak
Swamp White Oak
Hackberry
Avoid
Honeylocust
Norway Maple
Burr Oak
Swamp White Oak
Hackberry
Landscape Island
Northern Catalpa
Chicago Blues Blacklocust
Chicago Hackberry
Hybrid Elms
Accolade Elm
Commendation Elm
Pioneer Elm
Triumph Elm
Under Powerlines
Hedge Maple
Japanese Tree Lilac
Amur Maple
Redspire Pear