Let’s plant trees!
Help us track how many trees are planted each year! Please record the trees you plant here.
The goal of #TreeCanopyChallenge is to plant 2500 trees in the community over six years. Deerfield lost 4,300 trees between 2012 and 2018 due to the emerald ash borer and Dutch elm disease; and we continue to lose trees to disease and development without methodically replenishing those trees, let alone increasing the tree canopy.
Residents own 80% of the land available in Deerfield. So, it is natural for us as residents to take the lead in replacing our tree canopy. The village and park district can only do so much when we own the bulk the land.
We believe that this is an achievable undertaking that will make a difference. #2500Treesby2025 not only draws attention to the problem, it provides us with a mechanism to begin to remedy the ongoing loss of trees in our community.
Trees increase property values, intercept storm water and reduce flooding, store carbon dioxide, remove pollutants, and save household energy. Go Green Deerfield’s vision is to make sustainability the norm, and to make a meaningful reduction in Deerfield’s greenhouse gas emissions – trees are a critical means to this reduction.
Help us keep a tally on how many trees are planted each year. Go to this link #2500treesby2025 whenever you plant or sponsor a new sapling.
Post a picture of your new tree(s) #TreeCanopyChallenge @gogreendeerfield.
More ways to support #2500Treesby2025
Help spread the word to get more residents and local organizations involved!
• Faith communities
• Neighbors & friends
• Local businesses
• Civic organizations
• Share the challenge on social media
Sponsor a tree, or 2, 3, even more!
• Contact the Deerfield Park District and the Village of Deerfield and ask if you can donate a tree to be planted in a public space.
Help protect and preserve Deerfield’s trees.
• Use best practices and require landscape service to use best practices, including…
• Mulch should not touch the trunk of the tree.
• Keep lawn mowers and weed whips away from the trunk of the tree.
• Avoid running heavy equipment over tree roots, which grow out as far as the tree branches grow. Also avoid digging in the tree root zone.
• Support strong ordinance that protect trees
• Remove diseased trees and invasive buckthorn from your property
• Plant new trees to replace the loss
Ready to meet the challenge but not sure where to begin? Check out these resources.
Arbor Day Membership at Arborday.org. Become a member and receive 10 FREE trees. Members also receive DISCOUNTS on more than 100 varieties of trees, and The Tree Book with planting and care information.
Village of Deerfield 50/50 Parkway Tree Program. The Village will pay half the cost of 1 tree per residence per year. Trees will be planted in the fall. Trees will be planted in the parkway and cannot be planted on private property.
Lake County Forest Preserves native tree and shrub sale at Ryerson Woods.
• Sunday, October 6, 10-3
Chicago Botanic Garden – Trees for 2050
• A list of trees appropriate to suburban Chicago that should be able to adapt through 2050 to a warming climate.
The University of Illinois Extension
• “Selecting Trees for Your Home” helps homeowners learn about the various types of trees and their individual characteristics.
Morton Arboretum
• If you are looking for a tree that will thrive in your northern Illinois planting site, use the Tree Selector search. Enter the location, site conditions, and preferences to find options suggested by experts at The Morton Arboretum. A printable list will give you side-by-side comparisons for choosing the best tree for your circumstances.
National Tree Benefits Calculator
• Calculate the benefits your trees provide. Enter your zip code and the tree species.
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