The Village of Homewood T.R.E.E Committee

(Trees – Reforestation - Ecology - Education)

The T.R.E.E. Committee provides educational outreach to residents and surrounding communities, engenders community pride, develops stronger public relations, establishes award programs, expands and reinforces reforestation, helps develop viable resource management tools and makes recommendations on urban forest issues affecting the Village that requires action by the Village Board. The T.R.E.E. Committee is a volunteer group made from Homewood residents.

Resolution Number R-1758 Passed on August 28, 2001, and Amended Resolution Number R-1762, created the Homewood T.R.E.E. Committee to review programs, projects and issues pertinent to the protection and maintenance of the Village’s investment in a healthy and abundant tree stock.

The T.R.E.E. Committee meets the second Thursday of the even numbered months at 6:30 p.m.

Outreach Activities

Green Thumb Saturdays

Green Thumb Saturdays offers informational presentations about various gardening topics, co-sponsored with the University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener Program. The presentations are held on the second Saturday of the month, from spring through fall.

https://facebook.com/GreenThumbSaturdays

Arbor Day

Our Arbor Day activities include planting trees with the students of SD153 while explaining both the process and value of planting trees. Walt’s Food Center supplies us with grocery bags which we disperse to the neighborhood schools. The students decorate them using an Arbor Day theme, one example being ‘Trees are the lungs of the Earth’. Once decorated, the bags are returned to Walt’s to pack customers’ groceries on Arbor Day.

Community Outreach

Working with the Village Arborist and Public Works, the T.R.E.E. Committee planted trees on the parkways in the Governors’ Park area, Crescent Basin, and the business corridor of 183rd and Kedzie Avenue. Along with local groups, the T.R.E.E. Committee planted approx. 130 trees in the Dolphin Lake area. The committee produced a video on “How to Plant a Tree," which can be viewed on the Village Channel in spring and fall. The T.R.E.E. Committee helps our neighboring towns with tree related issues.

Tree Share

Tree Share is a program offered annually to the residents of Homewood. The Village of Homewood shares the tree cost 50/50 with residents. The selected trees are delivered to your driveway and can be planted anywhere on the resident’s property. Different varieties of trees are selected by the village arborist in order to keep the Village’s tree canopy diversified.

Bird City Illinois

Homewood became one of nine municipalities to receive Bird City Illinois status June 11, 2024. This status reflect’s our communitie’s effective bird-conservation practices. Homewood aggressively met nine specific criteria, such as habitat creation, protection, monitoring, and public education. This designation highlights Homewood's commitment to protecting bird populations and their habitats.

Homewood GPTree

Homewood GPTree is an interactive, AI-powered assistant created by the Homewood TREE Committee to help residents learn more about local trees, native species, planting guidance, and tree care. Accessible 24/7, this smart tool answers questions about which trees grow best in Homewood, how to support biodiversity, and ways to get involved in community greening efforts. Whether you're planting a new tree, identifying an existing one, or just curious about Homewood’s urban forest, GPTree is here to support a greener, more informed community.

Homewood’s Urban Forest

Homewood’s urban forest is thriving due to the dedicated stewardship of the residential community, the T.R.E.E. Committee and the village’s Public Works department. Homewood has been a Tree City USA village from 1998 to present and won numerous Growth Awards and has three full time certified arborists on staff who monitor and care for the health of the 9,763 trees in the village. Public Works has established a comprehensive forest management plan, including a best management practices guide for tree care and landscape professionals. These documents serve as an important guide for tree management activities in the village.

On May 9, 2020, Homewood achieved ArbNet Level 1 accreditation as an arboretum. This accreditation reflects Homewood's abundant tree diversity, education, research, world class management and conservation efforts.

The following is a summary of tree data as of the last comprehensive survey:

Number of trees: 10,009

Tree Cover: 39%

Most Common Species: Silver maple, Honeylocust, Norway maple

Pollution Removal: 4.637 tons/year

Carbon Storage: 4.662 thousand tons/year          

Carbon Sequestration: 146.3 tons/year

Oxygen Production: 390.1 tons/year

Structural values: 16.8 million

Click here to learn more about Homewood’s Urban Forest

Click here for the Chicago Region Trees Initiative’s Homewood Urban Canopy Summary 

The Benefits of Trees

There are numerous benefits to trees other than their aesthetic value. Below are a few:

-Trees supply oxygen, absorb carbon dioxide and filter dust and pollen.

-Trees lower air temperatures through leaf evaporation and improve asphalt longevity by sheltering it from direct sunlight. Trees reduce the heat island effect. Properly located, they can significantly reduce home heating and cooling costs.

-Trees reduce storm water runoff and stabilize the soil, preventing erosion.

-Trees reduce noise pollution by acting as sound barriers, provide residential privacy and can be used as screens for unsightly views.

-Trees reduce crime and traffic speeds. They improve property values and increase revenue in business districts.

-Trees provide food and shelter for wildlife.

Homeowner Resources

While trees provide us with many benefits and are a valuable community asset, they are also an investment. As such, they are an important resource that need proper planning, establishment, maintenance and conservation. Below are some resources that can help you make the most of this important investment:

Selecting Trees for your Home – University of Illinois Extension

Selecting and Planting Trees – Morton Arboretum

Northern Illinois Tree Species List – Morton Arboretum

Checklist of Illinois Native Trees – University of Illinois Extension

A Guide to Planting Near Power Lines – Comed 

Agendas & Minutes

For Agendas & Minutes please click here: Agendas & Minutes