TreeKeepers training program coming to Morton Arboretum

In a forest, a tree can live for more than 100 years. But urban and suburban trees may survive for only 15 years because of limited space and environmental stresses unless they receive special attention.

In Chicago, that attention comes from the Openlands TreeKeepers, a corps of volunteers who care for public trees. Now, the group is expanding its outreach to the suburbs, and has partnered with the Morton Arboretum in Lisle to offer an eight-week TreeKeeper training course this fall. Registration opens Monday, July 15.

TreeKeepers commit to volunteering 24 hours during their first year to taking care of trees, working in collaboration with local park districts, forest preserves and forestry departments. Their responsibilities include planting and mulching trees, inventorying trees in parks, pruning and monitoring public trees, and battling invasive species.

As the Western suburbs face the devastation of the emerald ash borer, the new TreeKeepers could play a vital role in planting and maintaining the new trees that will take the place of the infested ash trees, said Beth Corrigan, Community Trees program coordinator at the Morton Arboretum.

“This volunteer workforce will be able to augment local forestry staffs at a time when many of our municipal foresters have been facing budget cuts and a reduction in staffing,” she said.

TreeKeeper classes at the arboretum take place Saturday mornings, Sept. 14 through Nov. 2. Trainees must attend a series of eight, 3-hour classes, during which they will learn the biology of trees, how to identify tree species and how to monitor for insects and diseases. They also will participate in hands-on demonstrations for tree pruning and care.

To graduate from the program, TreeKeepers will need to pass a written test as well as demonstrate their hands-on skills in tree planting, pruning and mulching. At graduation, the newly appointed TreeKeepers will meet with municipal foresters from their own hometowns to discuss how they can work together.

This new TreeKeeper course is filling a need in the Western suburbs, says Megan Dunning, manager of community education and outreach at the arboretum.

“TreeKeepers help ensure that there will be trees in your neighborhood in the future, and that our communities have healthy urban forests,” she said.

Registration opens July 15 at mortonarb.org/education. Participants 16 years old and younger must be accompanied by an adult registrant. The course costs $128 for arboretum members and $150 for others. Need-based scholarships are available.

TreeKeepers courses also will be offered in Evanston as part of the expansion by Openlands.