At the heart of our mission is the belief in collective action. We inspire students to take an active role in shaping their communities by engaging in hands-on initiatives that foster strong partnerships, environmental stewardship, and sustainable change.
Request a treeFill out this form to request a tree to be planted on April 20th. Someone in your household will need to provide their name, phone number, and agree to care for a tree during its establishment period of three years.
Decide where you want a tree (or trees) to be planted in your parkway. Please note that tree numbers and placement will need to follow the Chicago Landscape Ordinance.
During planting day on April 20th, the Truffula Club team will arrive at the location to plant the tree(s). It's important for a member of your household to be present during planting day. You'll have the unique opportunity to actively engage in the planting process alongside a skilled Openlands arborist.
After planting, you will need to care for your young tree in order for it to become established and thrive. You will be asked to care for the tree for 3 years-primarily watering once a week during the growing season.
Openlands and the Truffula Club will send you maintenance reminders and tree care tips throughout the year to help your tree thrive!
The type of tree you will receive is selected from a diverse list of urban-appropriate trees available from the nursery. but you get to select from three categories when you sign.
Categories include: Flowering trees 🌺 , trees that turn beautiful colors in the fall 🍁, trees that encourage bio diversity and birds in the area 🐦 (less flies for example), or have a certified arborist select for you during inspection day :)
Our trees are generally between six to twelve feet tall. If there are any space constraints like wires or other obstructions, a smaller stature tree will be chosen.
Street trees have limited soil and nutrients due to their confined spaces making mulching essential.
Street trees have limited soil and nutrients due to their confined spaces making mulching essential.
Keep dogs and their waste away from the tree bed. Dog waste can harm the tree by burning its roots and overwhelming it with nutrients. By following these guidelines, you can help your new tree thrive in its urban environment.