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Article by Elena Ferrarin
Communications Coordinator
Northbrook Park District
Look at your yard and picture a beautiful oak tree that produces oxygen, keeps your home cooler and soaks up rainwater.
To turn that vision into reality, stop by one of four Northbrook Park District facilities on Saturday, April 26 to receive free oak tree saplings in honor of Earth Month.
The Northbrook Park District is giving away the saplings starting at 10 a.m. at the Sports Center, 1730 Pfingsten Road; the Leisure Center, 3323 Walters Ave.; Techny Prairie Activity Center; 180 Anets Drive; and Heritage Oaks Golf Club, 3535 Dundee Road. Each location will have 25 saplings available for the community.
The park district loves providing opportunities for green initiatives and helping residents develop an appreciation for nature, Marketing Coordinator Marybeth Stone said. “We have so many gorgeous trees in Northbrook that are hundreds of years old, and Sapling Saturday gives our community the chance to start that cycle at their own home for generations to enjoy.”
The initiative is courtesy of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District opens in new tab of Greater Chicago’s “Restore the Canopy, Plant a Tree opens in new tab” program, which provided the free saplings. Since its launch in 2016, the MWRD program has distributed more than 100,000 free native trees.
Recommendations for planting and caring for your tree include:
- Plant in an area with full to partial sunlight.
- Ensure enough space to grow (oak trees can reach 50 to 80 feet in height).
- Do not plant under power lines or close to structures.
- Water consistently for the first year.
Free saplings are also available for pick up from 9 a.m. to noon on Wednesdays through October at MWRD water reclamation plants.
For a list of locations and additional advice about tree care, visit mwrd.org opens in new tab.