Spring is coaxing leaf buds from the trees, a perfect time for two Lake County towns to each celebrate their designation as a Tree City USA for promoting urban forestry.
Lindenhurst and Gurnee are among six Illinois communities named recently as first-time recipients of the award, sponsored by The National Arbor Day Foundation.
That brings to 13 the number of Lake County communities with Tree City USA honors.
“We’re not a Lake Forest yet, but it sure would be nice to become one some day,” said Ken Andersen, Lindenhurst village arborist.
Community beautification is a major reason for planting trees, said Andersen. Giving Mother Nature a hand is another.
A young community with three types of trees, Lindenhurst wants to branch out and plant others that are tolerant to salt and storm damage on parkways.
Gurnee long has prided itself on its active tree-planting program, and wanted to be recognized, said Brad Burke, a village spokesman.
Illinois has 146 communities with the Tree City USA honor, according to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
“Trees are an integral part of the ecosystem in every community in the state.”
The department is a co-sponsor of the urban forestry program.
To be eligible for Tree City USA honors, communities must designate an individual or a department to care for urban trees.
Other requirements are that each town adopt a community tree ordinance, spend a minimum of $2 per resident for urban forestry and issue an Arbor Day proclamation, along with holding a public tree-planting ceremony.
Other Lake County Tree City USA designees are Antioch, Bannockburn, Barrington, Highland Park, Lake Forest, Lake Zurich, Libertyville, Lincolnshire, Tower Lakes, Vernon Hills and Zion.
In a related development, the Lake County Soil and Water Conservation District announced its 16th annual tree, shrub, flower, grass and ground cover sale.
“This is our major fundraiser of the year,” explained Joanne True, the district’s administrative coordinator.
The district offers eight types of evergreens, 18 varieties of deciduous trees, 18 shrubs, a collection of Illinois prairie plants and 12 ground covers, ornamental grasses and hardy perennials.
For those who already have placed orders, plant material can be picked up on April 24 and 25 at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Grayslake.
