With support from the City of Evanston and Northwestern University, two local Evanston Rotary clubs will plant 100 trees in the City at 10 a.m. on May 5 as part of the Trees for Evanston Parks project. Every year, Evanston loses trees to disease, storm damage, heat stress and age. Over the past few years, the city lost more than 3,500 ash trees to the emerald ash borer, so local Rotary club members took the lead to plant new trees.
The Rotary Club of Evanston Lighthouse and the Rotary Club of Evanston have been collecting donations on a per-tree basis, so an individual could buy a tree as a gift to others or to honor a loved one and then help plant it.
Rotarians have been working with the City’s arborist, who has helped to identify the types of trees they should plant, and where and how to plant them. The City will provide support for the continuing care of the young trees. The types of trees being planted include Eastern redbud, river birch, frontier elm, Kentucky coffee, bur oak and shingle oak.
Last fall, Rotary club members and volunteers planted 20 trees in Penny, Eiden, Grey, Southwest, and Dobson/Brummel parks. The tree planting on May 5 will take place in Elliot Park by Lake Michigan; James Park in southwest Evanston; and Twiggs and Harbert parks along the east side of the North Shore Channel (canal) near McCormick Boulevard. Afterward, all are welcome to come to the Celtic Knot, 626 Church St., at 11:30 a.m. for a celebration.