Illinois Tree Committees

Illinois Tree Committees
A project to establish and train local Tree Committees throughout Illinois.

Tree Committee Flier

A tree committee, also called a tree board or tree commission, is a group of local residents who advocate for and help make decisions about tree management in their community. Tree committees can plan tree planting events, educate community members about how to properly care for trees, develop a management plan for their city trees, and much more. Most tree committees advise their city council on decisions affecting trees. Having an effective tree committee will make your community a better place to live.

Because tree committees enable communities to better manage their trees, residents are able to experience the many benefits that trees provide. Without proper management, trees will be less healthy and will not provide these benefits. Proper management will also save the community money and other resources. For example, a little bit of planning ahead can save a community a great deal of money in storm clean-­up.

How to form a local tree committee:
Simply find a group of citizens concerned about tree health and fill out an application. Applications
must be submitted by August 7, 2012. No prior tree knowledge is necessary to become a tree com-­
mittee member. We recommend forming an initial group of ten people, but we will accept groups of five or more. Each member should be able to commit to a six month period. Tree committees will be expected to meet once every month or every other month. SIU Community Foresters will train your new Tree Committee.

If your application is accepted, a team of community foresters from Southern Illinois University
Carbondale will train your tree board on various tree-­related topics. SIU will serve as a resource
for your tree committee into the future.
SIU Community
Forestry Outreach

Questions?
Contact Emily Hanson,
Community Forester
618-­453-­2517
Urban.forestry@siu.edu