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2020 Chicago Region Tree Census Report

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Overview

In 2010, The Morton Arboretum, in collaboration with the USDA Forest Service, undertook the first tree census of the regional forest to understand its value and develop a plan to manage and curtail rising threats. It was the largest effort of its kind in the country, producing valuable scientific data about the benefits provided and making clear the challenges to maintaining a healthy tree population.

In 2020, The Morton Arboretum partnered with Davey Resource Group Inc. and the Student Conservation Association to conduct its second tree census, remeasuring 1,576 plots in the city of Chicago and the seven surrounding counties of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will to gain a comparative snapshot of the regional forest and the benefits it provides.

The 2020 tree census serves as a strategic guide for local and regional stakeholders to understand current trends and make informed decisions about how to protect and improve the forest to benefit residents and communities.

About

About The Morton Arboretum

The mission of The Morton Arboretum is to collect and study trees, shrubs, and other plants from around the world, to display them across naturally beautiful landscapes for people to study and enjoy, and to learn how to grow them in ways that enhance our environment. The Morton Arboretum’s goal is to encourage the planting and conservation of trees and other plants for a greener, healthier, and more beautiful world.

Supported by

Illinois Department of Natural Resources, The Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Foundation, and The USDA Forest Service (Northern Research Station)

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