Street Tree Care Why be an advocate for street trees?

• Urban stress • Loss of green space • Neglect • Climate change – storms • Pests and diseases – Asian Longhorn Beetle – Gypsy Moth – Dutch Elm Disease – Oak Wilt – Emerald Ash Borer Protect

• Teach your community about the importance of picking up litter and leaving trees undisturbed.

• Consider installing a tree bed guard (18” high) to protect your tree from animals, foot traffic and bicycles. Protect - EAB

• Emerald Ash Borer – Bark splitting/top die-back – Increased woodpecker activity – D-shaped exit holes – Epicormic branching – Call 311 or 312-74BEETL Nurture -

• Keep the area around your tree free of trash and animal waste. • Pull up weeds growing around your tree. – Weeds compete with the tree for vital nutrients and water. – This also improves overall appearance. Nurture - cultivate

• Loosen the top two to three inches of soil to help water and air reach the tree’s roots. • Be careful not to damage the roots. Nurture - mulch

• Create a ring of mulch around the base of the trunk. – Make sure that no mulch touches the trunk. – Mulch should be shallow (4” deep) but wide - the ring can be as wide as the branches of a newly planted tree.

“I love the smell of mulch in the morning… it smells like… VICTORY!” Water

• Water each tree with 15 to • Water slowly so the water 20 gallons once a week soaks into the soil and does between May and October. not run off the surface. – In times of drought or – If you made a ring of mulch or extreme heat, your tree may soil around the tree, this will need more water. If there is hold the water for slow one inch or more of rain, the absorption. tree may need less. – Water slowly, because the tree is NOT ON FIRE. Beautify

• Tree bed gardening is a great way TIP: Create a beautiful tree bed to green your neighborhood. It garden with: also encourages neighbors to • Perennials curb their dogs and avoid walking through tree beds. • But remember, when planning a tree bed garden, put the health of your tree first! Outdoor Lesson: Tree Care

Most people learn by doing so take the show on the road!

Suggested Sequence: • Remove garbage • Moisten soil • Pull weeds • Cultivate (aerate) • Mulch • Water What to bring

• Tools: gloves, cultivators, rakes, shovel, wheelbarrows, hose, wrench, buckets, trash bags, and mulch * If you plan to prune a lot you will need get a permit from BOF. Openlands can get this for you. Remember only TreeKeepers and Certified Arborists can prune! January February March Inspect trees for disease, Inspect trees for disease, Remove winter mulch soaked insects or vandalism* insects or vandalism with salt or dog waste Call 311 for dead street tree or Apply three to four inches of park tree removal mulch around base of the tree to form a ring April May June If planted near the street or Water weekly if the soil around Inspect depth of mulch, mulch sidewalk, wash salt off trees the trees is dry ** should be three to four inches while the ground is still frozen Using a hand trowel, loosen thick Finish pruning trees by the the top two to three inches of Water weekly 15th soil around tree roots Inspect trees for disease, Celebrate Arbor Day and Earth Plant small flowers or bulbs insects or vandalism Day around the base of your trees Pull weeds July August September Water weekly Water weekly Water weekly Pull weeds Pull weeds Remove stakes and ties from Inspect for insects and diseases Inspect for insects and diseases trees that have been in the ground for more than two years October November December Water young evergreen trees Water young evergreen trees Place Christmas tree branches before the ground freezes before the ground freezes around trees to absorb salt and Plant bulbs around the base of Inspect trees for disease, dog waste your trees insects, or vandalism Refresh mulch ring around the base of your trees Mulch information

Free Wood Chip Mulch for PICKUP from the City 6:30AM-2PM, M-F, excluding holidays Bring your own tools & containers • 4101 N. Oak Park – Dunning Read • 2342 S. Ashland • 900 E. 103rd St (Best Bet!)

NeighborSpace: 12 yards can be delivered.

Conversion chart for Cubic Yard Coverage 1 Cubic Yard Covers 324 square feet 1" deep 1 Cubic Yard Covers 162 square feet 2" deep 1 Cubic Yard Covers 108 square feet 3" deep 1 Cubic Yard Covers 81 square feet 4" deep 1 Cubic Yard Covers 54 square feet 5" deep Want to set up a workday in your neighborhood?

[email protected] 312-863-6154