In celebration of its centennial year in 2022, The Morton Arboretum will plant and distribute 3,000 trees throughout the seven-county Chicago region (Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will) to improve the urban forest and provide essential benefits such as energy savings, cleaner air, and stormwater management.

Trees will be planted sustainably, with longevity in mind. This follows the Arboretum’s commitment to the right tree, in the right place, planted at the right time, and with the right care. Tree experts from the Arboretum will work with planting site partners to determine local tree planting needs, assess site conditions, and identify the most suitable trees for each location (minimum of ten trees per location). The Arboretum will then help coordinate a volunteer tree planting event with the partners with proper planting guidance and tree care resources. Once planted, the trees will be in the partner's care. Adequate watering is especially important during the first three years, a critical time period for new saplings.

The 3,000 trees will be planted beginning with 520 trees this Spring that represent a diversity of 17 species. Partner sites should have the capacity to receive no fewer than ten trees, up to approximately 30 trees. Sites will need to be assessed by trained Arboretum staff to determine the appropriate number and composition of species, to ensure that the plantings will be successful.