Our Roots Chicago | Home
Purpose
Chicago continues to work toward creating resilient and sustainable communities across the city. Joining 96 cities around the world, the City of Chicago has updated its Climate Action Plan to reflect the bold action needed to protect and strengthen communities- locally and globally.
With historic investments coming in 2022, Chicago is ready to strengthen partnerships and programs across the city to expand access to green space, reduce carbon emissions, and connect residents to meaningful resources and services.
One of the ways we are carrying out our Climate Action Plan here in Chicago is through Our Roots Chicago project. Our goal is to expand the tree canopy in Chicago through an equitable approach to every neighborhood in Chicago leaving no neighborhood behind.
Our goal is to plant 75,000 new trees in the city of Chicago, and we want you to be a part of it so we can create a sustainable tomorrow by making an impact today.
Want to get involved? Call 311 or download the CHI311 app to request that the Department of Streets and Sanitation Bureau of Forestry plant a parkway tree.








Tree Canopy Coverage Percentage by Census Tract
By adding layers of public health, environmental, social, and economic data, we can better understand tree canopies in vulnerable neighborhoods throughout the city and to reduce the impacts of climate change on these communities.




What I’ve heard about Trees
Tree roots do not break pipes; rather, broken pipes attract tree roots due to moisture in the pipes.
Did you know that tree roots only go down 2-3 feet?
There are no scientific studies that prove this. Studies actually show that tree lined streets have lower crime rates
Taking care of trees takes less time and money than taking care of grass because you don’t need a lawnmower that requires maintenance, gas, oil, and or electricity.
The City will trim your parkway tree at no cost to you. You can contact 311 or visit 311.chicago.gov to report a service request.
Did you know you can rake leaves to the base of the tree in the fall and leave them there as mulch for the winter and spring months?
Trees provide oxygen, improve air quality, help keep soil in place, and absorb water which prevents flooding.
Trees also absorb carbon and attract a lot of wildlife such as birds that feed on insects like mosquitos.
Trees that are not properly maintained may have weaker limbs.
Trees can protect your home from flooding.
They can also lower your air conditioning costs by providing shade and lowering air temperature. Trees can block cold winds in the winter lowering your heating costs.
How To Get Involved
Call 311 or download the CHI311 app to request the Department of Streets and Sanitation Bureau of Forestry to plant a parkway tree.
Community Tree Equity Working Group
- American Forests
- Blacks in Green
- Bloomberg Associates
- Chicago Parks Department
- City of Chicago Department of Public Health
- City of Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation Bureau of Forestry
- City of Chicago Mayor’s Office
- City of Chicago Sustainability Office
- Chicago Muslims Green Team
- Chicago Region Trees Initiative
- Chicago Wilderness
- Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community
- Galewood Neighbors, Inc.
- I Am Able Center
- Illinois Environmental Council
- Imani Village
- Latinos Progresando
- Lincoln Park Zoo
- LUCHA
- Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago
- Mi Villita Neighbors
- Nordson Green Earth Foundation
- North Lawndale Greening Committee
- North Lawndale Community Coordinating Council's Greening Open Space Water Soil and Sustainability (NLCCC/GROWSS)
- Openlands
- Rush University Medical Center
- Save Your Ash
- Stone Temple Missionary Baptist Church
- The Climate Reality Project Chicago Metro Chapter
- The Nature Conservancy
- The Nature, Culture, and Human Health
- The Partnership for Healthy Cities
- The Southwest Collective
- The Student Conservation Association
- The Trust for Public Land
- US Forest Service
- Walder Foundation
Want to get involved? If interested, please contact ourroots@cityofchicago.org




Why Tree Planting is Necessary for a Healthy Economy and Environment



