‘Tree census’ coming to county

People aren’t the only thing being counted in Lake County this year.

The Morton Arboretum in Lisle has begun conducting a “tree census” in the six-county region that includes Chicago and its surrounding suburbs.

Lake, McHenry, Cook, DuPage, Kane, Will and Kendall counties are participating in the survey. As part of the effort, research teams are collecting data on sizes, locations and species of trees and other woody plants in the area.

Gina Tedesco, public relations manager at the Morton Arboretum, told me in a brief phone interview that the results of the survey will be used to address environmental problems and help with urban planning.
Such surveys have taken place in Chicago and other areas, she said.

“This is an important research project,” she said. “We believe tree issues and environmental problems are best addressed on a regional basis.”

A Morton Arboretum press release explains further details about the survey:

“Teams are collecting data ... at nearly 1,400 locations that a computer randomly selected. Some of these points fall on private homeowners’ front or back yards. The arboretum requests that all property owners permit the teams – who wear uniforms and display credentials – on their properties for the data collection.

 “The goal is [to] provide communities with a sound basis for making urban forest management decisions and incorporate more trees in urban planning, as a way of improving quality of life. It’s very important to integrate urban forestry into long-term plans for the region. “

The project will continue through August.

For more information, visit www.mortonarb.org.