Tree Donations ---     a program of sharing

By Patrick Morley Elmhurst Park District

The need is great and the challenge is on! The need is for the establishment, maintenance and replacement of park trees — the mighty oaks, the delicate locusts, the colorful maples, just to name a few. Trees immensely enhance the quality of a park environment. The challenge is to find the resources to meet this need. In the face of fiscal austerity and rising costs, park administrators must be creative in their approach to resource planning for tree planting and replacement programs.

A tree donations program is an effective and creative way to supplement the traditional publicly funded tree planting and replacement program. Donations include tree memorials, tree transplants, and park donations.

Tree Memorials. A Living Tree Memorial honors a person, event or organization. It consists of a tree and a plaque placed in the park most appropriate and is of benefit to the community for many years. The costs for the tree and plaque can be paid entirely by the donor, or may be partially subsidized by the public agency. Tree memorials can be advertised for minimal cost through articles in the park district's brochure and through distribution of tastefully designed pamphlets to local funeral homes. Immediate response by the staff to inquiries about the program, including a follow-up letter with a list of recommended trees and a breakdown of costs, is very important.

Tree Transplants. Another well received method to expand a tree planting program is to encourage the donation of plant material from private residences onto park property. A small article in the park district's newsletter or local paper will stimulate calls from homeowners to transplant trees too large for their present location into a neighboring park. The most practical method of transplanting from both a labor and survival standpoint is to mechanically move the tree. Hydraulic tree spades can move trees up to sixteen inches in diameter. They can often be borrowed from another park district, rented from an equipment company, or the transplanting can be contracted with a private firm. Before the tree is accepted the following criteria should be met:

1) Tree species - The tree species should be hardy, slow to moderate growing, and easy to maintain.

2) Physical condition - The tree must be well shaped, healthy, and sizable (at least two inches in diameter).

3) Location - Adequate room surrounding and approaching the tree is necessary to permit access with a tree spade and tractor. The tree must not be located on top of utility lines.

Once the tree has been transplanted, follow-up is necessary. The hole must be filled in and either seeded or sodded. A letter of thanks should be sent to the donor. The value of the tree should be stated in the letter for tax purposes.

Park Donations. Local civic organizations and businesses may be interested in donating an entire park. Organizations such as the Jaycees and the Kiwanis Club, as a service to the community, will develop an entire park, donating both labor and materials. In addition, they may continue their support by contributing toward annual maintenance costs. A business may be interested in developing a vacant lot adjacent to its location to provide an attractive public space and enhance its own value. By doing so it may gain favorable press and tax benefits. A list of organizations and businesses should be compiled and contacted directly by a park district representative.

A tree donations program consisting of tree memorials, tree transplants and park donations can help meet the need and answer the challenge of replacing and increasing the number of trees in the parks of Illinois.

Illinois Parks and Recreation    17    March/April 1982