Wicker Park and Bucktown Corridors Get Greener With the Planting of 80 New Trees

Wicker Park and Bucktown's business corridors got some extra love this month in the form of 80 new trees planted, in part, to replace those lost to the area's widespread emerald ash borer infestation.

The Wicker Park Bucktown (WPB) SSA #33 funded the now-complete project. The new trees benefit the environment and local economy, said officials from the Wicker Park Bucktown Chamber of Commerce.

"This marks the largest WPB SSA #33 tree planting since 2012-2013, when 41 trees were planted in the district," they said, in a press release. "The WPB SSA #33 and WPB Chamber of Commerce maintain a tree management and care plan for the district, last updated in consultation with Bartlett Tree Experts in 2013. As of that date, trees within Wicker Park and Bucktown were valued at $3,024,000."

Chamber officials shared several benefits that stem from the density of trees within the WPB SSA #33 service area:

Environmental Impact

• WPB trees provide environmental services worth approximately $120,000 per year in SSA #33.
• They reduce stormwater runoff abd provide summer cooling.
• The trees reduce the urban heat island effect, improve air quality, reduce carbon dioxide and help to conserve energy.

Local economic boost

• Numerous studies have shown that shoppers will travel farther to visit and linger in a business district with high-quality trees.
• Studies have shown that shoppers spend 9 to 12 percent more money in tree-dense areas.

“Maintaining and replacing trees within our service area is one of the enhanced services we provide to supplement City of Chicago efforts,” said Brent Norsman, WPB SSA #33 Commission Chair. “Our goal is to continue to increase the number of trees in Wicker Park and Bucktown, keeping all existing tree pits planted in partnership with the City, as well as adding new tree locations when possible.”

The total cost of the 80 new trees was $100,000, inclusive of grinding and removal of old tree stumps in existing tree pits, the new trees, all labor costs and permitting.

Planting locations were selected based on direct requests from WPB SSA #33 constituents, as well as areas of impact and need. Varieties include Honey Locust, Kentucky Coffee, Little Leaf Linden, Hackberry, Black Locust and Chanticleer Pear.

Here are the approximate locations of the 80 new trees (marked with stars):