The recent Sun-Times editorial, “Chicago, Don’t let healthy trees be cut down without good reason,” was correct in identifying trees as a major urban benefit. Chicago is investing heavily in planting new trees in the public way for all the reasons mentioned, including the vitally important role that trees play in mitigating the impacts of climate change. Chicago plans to plant 75,000 trees in the next five years as part of its Climate Action Plan.
But the editorial didn’t go far enough. Stopping healthy trees from being removed is only a small, common-sense step. We need to plant new trees in every available public space. More importantly, we must make sure these trees reach the maturity needed to provide their environmental and social benefits, while making every effort to keep the trees we have.
