Chicago is represented by 157,142,000 trees and 15.5% canopy cover.

The most common species are:

• Green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica)
• Boxelder (Acer negundo)
• Black cherry (Prunus serotina)
• American elm (Ulmus americana)
• European buckthorn (Rhamnus, spp.) = an invasive species

(Nowak et al. 2012. Urban Trees and Forests of the Chicago Region)

Benefits of Chicago's trees

As of 2012, Chicago's urban forest was worth an estimated $51.2 billion.

Trees in urban cities provide ecosystem services that:

• Reduce urban heat island effect
• Filter urban pollutants and fine particulates
• Regulate water flow and improve water quality
• Carbon sequestration and climate change mitigation
• Improve physical and mental health
• Reduce energy spent on air conditioning and heating
• Provide habitat, food and protection to plants and animals
• Increase property and retail value

Find out how trees do all of this by visiting Vibrant Cities Lab