East Village Association begins community tree inventory

The East Village Association (EVA) in partnership with Natural Path Urban Forestry Consultants (NPUFC) is starting a neighborhood tree inventory beginning at 9:30 a.m. on Sat., Apr. 30, at the northwest corner of N. Wood St. and W. Haddon Ave. in East Village. 

According to EVA, "World renowned arborist, Mark Dunteman, NPUFC's principal, will train volunteers on how to conduct the inventory. So even if you can't tell the difference between and oak and an apple tree, you can still help." 

Volunteers are encouraged to dress appropriately for a walk around the entire neighborhood.  

The inventory will consist of collecting species and recording data about the trees and their condition. In addition vacant planting spaces will be recorded.  

The project's outcome will:

• provide the Chicago Department of Forestry with a list of immediate risk reduction recommendations to include removals, pruning and cabling.
• provide the basis for developing an East Village planting strategy that will include major streets such as Augusta Blvd., Chicago Ave. and Division St. 

EVA points out that every tree counts toward a greener, healthier, more beautiful East Village. "Trees give us many benefits-from cleaner air and cooler summer temperatures to higher property values."