Learn How Trees Can Save You Energy, While Refreshing Northern Illinois Communities

Standing on its commitment to protect and improve our environment, while helping customers save money and energy, ComEd supports tree planting efforts each year in honor of Arbor Day, a national holiday that celebrates the importance of trees. Since 2015, ComEd has partnered with the Arbor Day Foundation to give away trees that not only refresh the environment and brighten communities, but also act as energy-saving tools that can lower energy costs for homes and businesses.

Through this partnership, ComEd has helped plant over 41,000 trees in communities throughout northern Illinois. ComEd vegetation management, corporate community impact, and external affairs teams connect with communities to determine their desired purpose for trees and preference for quantity and variety, and then work with the Arbor Day Foundation to distribute the trees based on these needs. This year’s program will see nearly 2,000 trees prepared and shipped to 59 communities across ComEd’s service territory.

For the small farm community of Grant Park, this program goes a long way for replacing trees that died due to storm damage or old age. For the village of 1,300 people, trees have been planted throughout the town at public parks, the fire station, a little league baseball field, and schools.

“I was totally shocked and impressed by the quality, size, and variety of trees we received. It was like these were going to the White House, they were beautiful, well packaged, it was very impressive. It’s a facelift for the village thanks to the generosity of ComEd,” said Ben Detloff, Village Trustee, and incoming Mayor of Grant Park. “Our village was established in 1883, so many of our trees are over 100 years old and it’s hard to replace them. This is a very nice program that helps out a small community, but it also shows that a company as large as ComEd cares about the small community by offering programs like this. It makes a big difference, and these trees will be here for years to come for people to enjoy.”

For the city of Belvidere, these trees will play a crucial role in replenishing its urban forest. This giveaway complements the city’s first urban forestry management plan sparked by a forestry grant it received last year. Trees are especially crucial to mitigate urban heat islands—areas that are significantly warmer due to high levels of human activity and impermeable, heat-absorbing surfaces from urban development. With their cooling shade and wind blocking leaves, trees act as energy-saving tools that can help reduce utility costs for area families and businesses when placed in effective areas. Belvidere plants trees from this program throughout their public parks in addition to land at the Boone County Conservation District.

“There are so many benefits to having an active and well-maintained urban forest. It is economical, provides shade to reduce utility costs, improves air quality for all the residents, not to mention they’re nice to look at and walk beneath,” said Brent Anderson, Public Works Director for the City of Belvidere. “We had a tornado come through a couple years ago that caused significant damage to the main Belvidere Park, and we also removed 400 ash trees that were taken out by the emerald ash borer, so this program will help replenish our urban forestry. The residents here greatly appreciate that, and this tree program that supports our forestry management project only makes our community and ecosystem stronger.”

As an Equity Investment Eligible Community (EIEC), Belvidere is eligible to receive up to 25 additional trees. To decrease demand on the electric grid for underserved areas, ComEd prioritizes EIECs for this program. Visit the Boone County Conservation District website to learn about projects supported by ComEd tree giveaways.

“ComEd looks forward to Arbor Day each year and recognizes the importance of investing in the environment,” said Keith Frost, Senior Manager of Vegetation Management at ComEd. “Tree giveaways in partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation exemplify our commitment to preserving nature while fostering a sense of responsibility in our communities.”

ComEd communicates with tree recipients to share the message of “right tree right place,” and provides customers with the Smart Planting Guide to ensure that trees are properly planted away from overhead utility lines.

“Growing thriving tree canopies is an instrumental part of building strong, healthy communities, and we rely on companies, municipalities, nonprofits, and utility providers to be bold in their belief that we can build better neighborhoods through trees,” said Kristen Bosquet, Senior Partnerships Manager with the Arbor Day Foundation. “By empowering community members to plant trees today, ComEd is helping lay the groundwork for a better tomorrow.”

In addition to celebrating Arbor Day on the last Friday of the month, April is also safe digging month. Always be sure to call 811 before planting a tree or digging any large holes to avoid damaging utility lines.

Learn more about the deeper impact of trees by exploring the Arbor Day Foundation’s community tree distribution programs.