taking better care of the trees in our yards

I see many people in the neighborhood hire landscapers or do mulching around trees themselves. Without knowing it, this well intentioned act is often done incorrectly, which can be unhealthy for our neighborhood trees.  Having the right amount of mulch is beneficial, while piling it too deep, can cause problems.  Here's more information on how to do mulching correctly and keep trees healthier.

“Volcano Mulching,” a practice used by many landscape companies and some homeowners, is when a mulch ring 2-3 feet wide and over 4 inches deep is placed around trees. This practice is extremely harmful to the health of trees.

If your tree has been volcano mulched, use gloved hands to remove mulch from the base of the tree, exposing the root flare (the area where the roots turn out and away from the tree). Do not use a rake or shovel, as this can damage delicate roots. If removing years of layered mulch by hand is too difficult, hire a tree care company that will use an air spade to do the job.

Mulching is one of the most beneficial things that you can do to keep your trees healthy. If done incorrectly, however, it can also lead to the death of your tree. Mulching increases soil organic matter, water-holding capacity and nutrient availability. It also acts as an insulator, buffering the soil from rapid temperature changes. It helps control weeds and protects the trees’ trunk from being hit by the lawn equipment.

Here's some helpful about mulching trees:

Make sure that mulch is pulled a few inches away from the base of the tree to expose the root flare, usually 4-6 inches. Mulch should be applied approximately 4 inches deep in a donut-shaped ring. This will settle to a desirable two inches after a few rains, and is shallow enough to allow rain to reach the roots.

Mulch out away from the tree in a 4-5 foot diameter. Ideally, trees should be mulched to the drip line (below the farthest reaching branches). Consider mixing hardwood mulch with grass clippings, sawdust, pine needles, compost, and shredded leaves to increase porosity. Using a groundcover plant instead of mulch or grass is also a good choice. Check mulch levels annually. Trees often do not need to be mulched every year.

Piling mulch high around the base of the tree should be avoided. This causes damage to the bark due to constant moisture, diseases, termites, rodents, and fungus. It also causes rainwater to run off before it has a chance to soak into the root area.

Here's an example of volcano mulching where the roots are buried way too deep.

Mulch is about 1 foot deep against the trunk of the tree.

Another issue - the tree has outgrown the protective collar put
on when it was planted. These are intended to protect against
lawn mower wounds. If the tree has outgrown the collar to the
point where the collar has an open gap, please remove it.

Mulch should not be piled higher than 4 inches from the ground. Doing so causes roots to migrate to the surface to “breathe” and access water exposing them to a variety of health risks. Cypress mulch should be avoided. It is very water absorbent, reducing the amount of water that reaches the tree roots. The logging of cypress trees destroys cypress forests in the swamps of Florida and Georgia - a significant ecosystem in the region.

On a related note, please don't build raised planter areas around the base of your trees. Similar to the deep mulch example in the paragraph above, burying tree roots under a planter bed causes them to migrate to the surface in search of oxygen. These roots will circle around inside the bed - a problem known as root girdling. This can shorten the life of the tree.

Here's an example of what happens to your tree when you build a raised planter area around it. This is a medium sized maple tree that had a foot-high planter bed around it for years. After that was removed, this extreme example of root girdling was revealed. Much of the canopy is already dying. This tree could have had a much longer life, and it's likely to be dead within a few years.

Dyed mulch is less desirable. It is usually made from chemically-treated scrap lumber that can leach chemicals into the soil. The dye itself is also often made from synthetic chemicals. It's worth discussing this issue with your landscaper, or carefully considering your choices at the garden center if you're doing you're own mulching, to help your trees be as healthy as possible.

More information on volcano mulching and proper mulching techniques:

Mulch Volcanoes - University of Illinois Extension
https://extension.illinois.edu/gardenerscorner/issue_07/spring_05_11.cfm

The Pros and Cons of Mulch - University of Illinois Extension
https://web.extension.illinois.edu/state/newsdetail.cfm?NewsID=20691

Mulching Trees and Shrubs - The Morton Arboretum
https://www.mortonarb.org/trees-plants/tree-and-plant-advice/horticulture-care/mulching-trees-and-shrubs

Remember - donut shaped mulch rings with breathing room around tree trunks are healthier. Most landscapers don't know anything about tree health. If your landscaper is making mulch volcanoes, instruct them about the donut method. Tell them that the info comes from Morton Arboretum and University of Illinois and that it's available online if they have questions. You'll be doing your trees a favor, and it will be better for the trees they work around in other people's yards.

Ridge Park workday 5/18 - help us take care of our trees

On Saturday 5/18 from 10 am to 1 pm, your neighborhood Treekeepers are hosting a workday to give the trees in Ridge Park (1817 W 96th St.) a bit of TLC. They could really use some mulch. This is a team effort, so we could use your help.  We will meet at the south end of the parking lot.

No special skills are needed. We'll teach you what you need to know.  If you have work gloves that you like, you're welcome to bring them, otherwise we'll have some available for use during the workday. Please wear shoes, hiking boots or work boots that provide good support, as well as comfortable clothing suitable for yard work.

Student volunteers are welcome.

If you plan to come, it would be great if you could send an email so that we know how many volunteers to expect.  If you are a Treekeeper, please register here.

Ridge Park workday on Sat. 3/30 - POSTPONED

Due to a dismal weather forecast from Thursday thru Saturday, this workday is postponed.

Stay tuned for an update about a new date.

Ridge Park tree workday on Sat. 3/24

Would you like to help TreeKeepers volunteers do a tree inventory of Ridge Park (1817 W 96th St.) on Saturday 3/24?  We'll meet at noon by the fieldhouse and work for a few hours, taking measurements and making observations about the health of trees in the park.

It helps the park district get an accurate picture of how many trees we have in the park, and the species, size and general health of each tree. It's not strenuous work.You don't need to have any special skills.  Each team will be led by a TreeKeeper and you'll get instruction at the workday.

Afterwards we'll adjourn to Horse Thief Hollow.

For more info, send an email. We hope to see you on 3/24 at noon by the fieldhouse.

Tree ride on Sunday 9/10

Would you like to learn the identity of this grand old tree and more about trees in Beverly and Morgan Park? Come out for an easy-paced 10 mile bike ride. You don't have to be a TreeKeeper to learn more about our trees.

Optional lunch/mead stop afterwards at Wild Blossom Meadery.

It's happening on Sunday 9/10 from 10 am to 1 pm. We'll meet at the Dan Ryan Woods 91st St. parking lot, just east of Beverly Blvd. If you're driving there, the easiest access is from 91st and Ashland - go west on 91st across the Metra tracks and it's on your left after the Major Taylor Trail - just before the cul de sac. We'll see many familiar species and some uncommon ones.

FYI - I've been a volunteer with the Openlands TreeKeepers program for several years, helping with tree planting and tree care here in the neighborhood, along the Major Taylor Trail and in other neighborhoods across the city. It's a great experience and I highly recommend it.

Watch this space for info about future workdays to take care of neighborhood trees. I am partnering with Openlands  in offering this ride.

our trees need water

We've seen news stories about serious flooding in parts of our metro area, but that rain has been very unevenly distributed. Many storms that dropped huge amounts of rain in areas north, west or south of us left little or nothing in Beverly or Morgan Park over the last several weeks. In the last week, I've seen a few things that were vivid reminders of how dry our soil really is here in the neighborhood.

In areas that have not been watered, I've seen cracks in the bone dry soil. Recently I saw a gingko tree (a very tough species) that had lost all its leaves and was starting to grow new ones after we had 1/2" of rain. I've also seen a few young, recently planted trees that had dropped all their leaves and looked like they were dead or in very tough shape.

Other signs of drought: oak trees dropping acorns prematurely (before they reach full size and ripeness), tree leaves looking withered or starting to drop. I have seen these signs in various locations around the neighborhood this week.

Ideally, 1 inch of rain per week will keep a tree healthy. We've had a occasional heavy rain since early May, but it's usually been of a brief enough duration that we've only gotten 0.1" or 0.2" of water - nowhere near enough to make up for the long-term lack of soaking rains.

Our trees need water to stay healthy. If you don't regularly water the lawn area around your trees, please consider using a soaker hose around the base of each tree, or using a sprinkler over the root area (at least the area of the tree canopy). In weeks when we don't get at least 1" of rain, letting it soak for at least an hour is a good idea. That will help our trees catch up and stay healthy.

Trees under extreme stress become more vulnerable to health issues from disease, infestation or damage. Drought is a form of stress that we can do something about. As of today, there's no significant chance of rain in the forecast for the next several days, continuing the pattern we've been seeing for weeks.

In the more extreme weather we're seeing now, we get more heavy rains and more extended periods of heat and minimal rain. This is hard on our trees when it happens year after year. Please be kind to our trees and help them live longer, healthier lives. This makes neighborhood and our environment healthier. 

tree planting volunteers needed on Wed. 10/12

Would you like to help plant trees in West Beverly? Volunteers are needed for a Openlands tree planting next Wednesday (10/12). Tools and instruction will be provided. Bring your gardening or work gloves and wear supportive boots or shoes that you don't mind getting mud on.

To register and get exact location, contact Mary Jo Viero at 773-233-3100 x206 or send email.

You can become a TreeKeeper - spring class starts 3/19

Are you interested in joining the TreeKeepers volunteer program to plant and care for trees in our parks and neighborhoods?

You can be a TreeKeeper!

The spring class session starts on 3/19. Classes will be held at beautiful West Pullman Park, 401 W. 123rd St. Click here for more information.

community tree planting workday on Sat. 11/7

Saturday is a tree planting day.   Volunteers are needed: general public and TreeKeepers.

It's this Saturday 11/7 from 9 am- 1 pm. *TreeKeepers - please arrive at 8:30 am. Our meeting location is 10130 S. Seeley Ave.

If you'd like to help out, please register here.

you can become a TreeKeeper

Are you interested in joining the TreeKeepers volunteer program to plant and care for trees in our parks and neighborhoods?  There are 3 class locations this fall. Classes start this month.  Click here for more information.

Friends of the Major Taylor Trail meeting on 2/18

If you're interested in events and stewardship on the Major Taylor Trail, please join us for our monthly meeting on Wednesday 2/18 at Ridge Park fieldhouse, 1817 W 96th St. (just east of Longwood Dr.), 6:30-8:30 p.m.

We are a non-profit advocacy group working to improve and maintain the Major Taylor Trail and promote its use. We have an active working relationship with the Chicago Park District, Friends of the Parks, Openlands, Forest Preserve District of Cook County and other non-profits and government agencies. We organize bike rides, volunteer workdays,  and other events.

In the past few years, we've done 5 tree planting projects with the Openlands TreeKeepers program: near 87th Street and between 122nd and 127th. In the future, we'd like to add public art projects and other improvements along the trail. We'd love to have your ideas and help with future events and projects.  Please join us!

Friends of the Major Taylor Trail tree planting TOMORROW 11/16

Friends of the Major Taylor Trail and the Openlands TreeKeepers program welcome community volunteers for a tree planting along the trail north of 127th St. (approx. 500 W. 127th) on Saturday 11/16 from 9:00 a.m. to noon. 

All able bodied volunteers are welcome.  Tree planting experience is not required.

Tools will be provided.  If you have work gloves, bring them. Some gloves will be available. Hiking boots or work boots are recommended, otherwise supportive closed toe shoes will do.  We will be planting, mulching and watering young trees to improve the environment along the trail. 

If you have questions, please email or call Anne Alt 312-520-1641.

Friends of the Major Taylor Trail tree planting workday on 11/16

Friends of the Major Taylor Trail and the Openlands TreeKeepers program welcome community volunteers for a tree planting along the trail north of 127th St. (approx. 500 W. 127th) on Saturday 11/16 from 9:00 a.m. to noon. 

All able bodied volunteers are welcome.  Tree planting experience is not required.

Tools will be provided.  If you have work gloves, bring them. Some gloves will be available. Hiking boots or work boots are recommended, otherwise supportive closed toe shoes will do.  We will be planting, mulching and watering young trees to improve the environment along the trail.

If you have questions, please email or call Anne Alt 312-520-1641.

Ridge Park tree care workday on 9/28

There is a TreeKeepers workday this Saturday 9/28 from 9 a.m. to noon.   We will be pruning and mulching trees in Ridge Park, 9625 S. Longwood Dr.  If you are a trained TreeKeeper or arborist, we welcome your help with pruning.  All volunteers are welcome for mulching and other assistance.  

Work gloves and tools will be provided.  Hiking boots or work boots are recommended, otherwise closed-toe supportive shoes are best.

We will meet by the drinking fountain at the corner of the parking lot near the fieldhouse.  For more information, contact Dave Westerberg 512-590-9906 or dwesterberg@gmail.com.

TreeKeepers tree watering workday on the Major Taylor Trail this Saturday 8/31

This Saturday 8/31 from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., TreeKeepers and Friends of the Major Taylor Trail are working together on an urgently needed workday.  Many summer storms that drenched the north side didn't make it south of 95th St., and the little oak trees we planted along the trail in the spring are in need of some TLC.  This is an emergency workday to help the trees stay healthy until fall rains kick in.

We'll be working along the trail from approx. 125th St. to 127th St. (approx. 500 W 127th).  Here's a map link in case you need it.  http://goo.gl/maps/CJJZj  If you're driving, it's easiest to take 127th to Eggleston (next street east of the trail), turn north and park along 126th Pl or 126th St.  See map link for detail: http://goo.gl/maps/zhPID

If you think you'll be able to help, please respond so we have an idea how many volunteers to expect.   If anyone you know might be interested in helping, please invite them. The more people we have, the easier it will be for each of us.  

Hiking boots or work boots are recommended. If you have work gloves, please bring them. If not, some work gloves will be available for use. If you can bring at least 1 5-gallon bucket and/or a garden cart that can carry 40+ lbs, that would be helpful, but it's not required.

tree planting on the Major Taylor Trail TOMORROW - Sat. 4/27

Please join Friends of the Major Taylor Trail, volunteers from the Openlands TreeKeepers program and other volunteers to help us plant 25 oak trees along the trail north of 127th St. We'll be working from 9 a.m. to noon. Click here for more information, including a map link.

Major Taylor Trail workday tomorrow 7/28

If you'd like to help Friends of the Major Taylor Trail and TreeKeepers in their efforts to maintain good trail conditions, please join us for a workday tomorrow morning from 8:00 to 11:00 a.m.

We'll meet by the Major Taylor mural (approx. 1050 W. 111th St.) and do some tree pruning to eliminate branches that are blocking part of the trail.  If you have work gloves and tools, please bring them, otherwise some will be available for use.  After our recent rains, insect repellent might be a good idea, too.

Click here for more info.  We hope to see you there.

Major Taylor Trail clean-up on 4/21

Please join the Friends of the Major Taylor Trail and TreeKeepers for a community trail clean-up workday on Saturday 4/21.

We will meet at the Major Taylor mural (north side of 111th St., where the trail crosses the street) and work from 2-4 p.m. to continue where we left off on 4/7.

We welcome community participation in clearing small trees and brush to minimize trail blockage from summer growth, as well as improving sightlines along the trail.  Long sleeves, long pants and enclosed boots or shoes are strongly recommended.  If you have work gloves, please bring them.  Some gloves and tools will be available.  Our work area will be on the trail between 111th and 115th, starting from 111th St.  We hope to see you there.

Major Taylor Trail clean-up on 4/7

Please join the Friends of the Major Taylor Trail and TreeKeepers for a community trail clean-up workday on Saturday 4/7.

We will meet at the Major Taylor mural (north side of 111th St., where the trail crosses the street) and work from 2-4 p.m. to continue the clean-up started on 3/31.


We welcome community participation in clearing small trees and brush to minimize trail blockage from summer growth, as well as improving sightlines along the trail.  Long sleeves, long pants and enclosed boots or shoes are strongly recommended.  If you have work gloves, please bring them.  Some gloves and tools will be available.  Our work area will be on the trail between 111th and 115th, starting from 111th St.  We hope to see you there.

Major Taylor Trail clean-up on 3/31

Please join the Friends of the Major Taylor Trail and TreeKeepers for a community trail clean-up workday on Saturday 3/31.

We will meet at the Major Taylor mural (north side of 111th St., where the trail crosses the street) and work from 2-4 p.m.

We welcome community participation in clearing small trees and brush to minimize trail blockage from summer growth, as well as improving sightlines along the trail.  Long sleeves, long pants and enclosed boots or shoes are strongly recommended.  If you have work gloves, please bring them.  Some gloves and tools will be available.  Our work area will be on the trail between 111th and 115th, starting from 111th St.  We hope to see you there.