Info

This is an interactive map of Chicago where you can request trees anonymously via 311. You can right-click on good tree locations to reverse-geocode an address and request a tree/trees. You can make one request at a time, though batch-requesting is coming soon. (It doesn't hurt that this rate-limits things for now).

Planting a tree

Right-click where the tree should go (the more precisely, the better). Two pins will be dropped: One marking the spot, and another marking the property. (Sometimes they don't quite match - in that case, just click on the building.)

Examples

Good tree locations are where the parkway is wide enough, not a driveway or bus stop, and visibly clear with no tree (small, freshly planted ones can be hard to spot).

✅ Good tree locations

❌ Bad tree locations

Requesting trees

While you can request trees yourself via 311.chicago.gov, this is a much easier way to request: you can search addresses or right-click on the map wherever you want a tree ( the suggested method).

You shouldn't expect trees to physically be planted quickly, but generally, they take about 2 planting seasons - spring, and fall/winter til the ground freezes. They use a single contractor to do this and prefer to do entire streets at once, so requesting trees that are missing for a given block is a great way to capitalize on that. The city seems to prioritize environmental justice communities, which is a good thing.

The process

Requesting a tree anonymously gives property owners of homes the right to refuse a tree, as the city leaves a door hanger alerting them and allowing them to decline.

My general observation (from following up and checking tree request numbers, Street View, or visiting the address) is that some people decline, but the vast majority accept the tree.

The city seems to plant trees in front of businesses or industrial buildings automatically, but on busy streets, there is sometimes a backlog of "conflicts" — utility work, bike lane installations, etc. — that could delay the planting.

Why

The City of Chicago requires new trees for new developments (but trees often don't get planted anyway) and, infrequently, plants trees of their own volition in less forested communities. Other than that, they rely on home- and business owners opting-in and requesting a tree. My position is different. I think the city should have an opt-out program and plant trees on a grid system, prioritizing less forested neighborhoods, until "done". Until then, using this map (when you're bored or motivated) is a good way to help the city plant more trees. At the very least, it builds a database of viable tree locations.

Machine learning

Right-clicks will store requests annotated with the precise location of the click. In the future, this may be used to train a future machine learning vision model (which will be open-sourced) to identify good locations for trees, potentially to be used citywide or even in other cities. By using this site, you consent to that.

FAQs

Q: What about homeowners who don't want a tree?
A: As stated before, they're given the option to decline.

Q: Can I plant trees myself?
A: No, and besides, the city plants older, larger trees.

Q: How does the city feel about this site?
A: The city's privacy policy doesn't prohibit this, and nobody's told me to stop (I even told an alderperson about it). Worst case, this is a great way to crowdsource the process of identifying where trees are missing.

Q: What about tree roots damaging pipes or other concerns?
A: The city has a media kit about this that answers this and other questions.

Q: I don't want a tree. Can I make your site not let people request trees in my parkway?
A: Sure, just email me at me@colinyoung.com and I'll add an exception for you.

About this site

This site is open-source, and built with Next.js, Tailwind, and React, and uses an API hosted on Heroku. The actual tree planting requests are created with Playwright.

Please do not abuse this system. You can write to me at me@colinyoung.com or contact me on Bluesky. Source code is available here.

Shovel by Dwi Budiyanto from Noun Project (CC BY 3.0)