Hello!

This form collects information from residents who want to request and care for a tree in their parkway to support community tree planting in your neighborhood! You can see information about the project below, including your neighbor who is coordinating the project.

If you are interested in a tree, please provide an accurate address and contact information so we can contact you about your tree request. If your address can receive a tree, we will send you maintenance reminders and tree care tips throughout the year to help your tree thrive!

Thank you for being so interested in accepting and maintaining a new tree. We will select the best available tree for your site and do all we can to accommodate your preferences.

 

Brighton Park Neighborhood Council (BPNC) TreePlanters Grant- Fall 2024

The Brighton Park Neighborhood Council (BPNC) invites you to participate in its Openlands TreePlanters Grant this Fall, 2024. The project will focus on planting trees on the parkway in front of homes, businesses, and community spaces in the neighborhood around the BPNC offices on the north side of Archer Ave. By joining this effort, you can help beautify your community and make it a greener place to live!

 

Contacts:

BPNC: Leslie Reyes (lreyes@bpncchicago.org)

Openlands: Tonatiu Rodriguez (TRodriguez@openlands.org)

Tree Maintenance

The actual planting of a tree is just the first step in building the urban canopy of the future. Before that tree can provide us with all it's benefits, it must become established.

During the “establishment period” of a tree’s life (the first 3 years after planting), it is critical that the tree is properly maintained. This maintenance includes

• weekly watering
• proper mulching 
• monitoring for any issues that could hurt the trees health

There are also a few things that should NOT be done to a tree until it is established.

Please read the next 3 pages carefully and agree that you understand the maintenance requirements of the tree that you are requesting. 

Watering- the most important thing you can do to help your tree survive!

• Each tree needs 15-20 gallons once a week April through November
• Apply water slowly, allowing it to soak in before continuing to water.
• Pour the water against the base of the tree.

 

 

Weeding and Mulching

• Keep the area around the base of the tree covered with a 2-4 inch layer of natural mulch, making sure no mulch is piled against the trunk of the tree.
• Mulch ring should be shaped like a wide, flat doughnut. 
• Keep the mulched area free of weeds and waste. 
  
  

 

I understand that I should NOT….

• Fertilize the newly planted tree
• Hit the tree trunk with lawnmowers, string trimmers, or other damaging tools
• Hang lights, signs or attatch anything to the new tree
• Prune your tree or remove tree branches.  If they are damaged let us know at trees@openlands.org

 

Planting Day Volunteering 

• One representative from each address receiving a tree should be present to help plant their tree and the trees of their neighbors.  Many hands make short work!

 

I have read this handout and I understand that I am responsible for maintaining the tree(s) through establishment (3 years) and that I (or a representative from my household) will volunteer on the day of the tree planting.