Suburban Tree Consortium

Mission Statement

To maintain and improve the urban forest within the Chicago metropolitan region, thereby enhancing the quality of life for the region’s residents, by fostering cooperation and communication at the municipal level; supporting cost-effective means of acquiring and installing trees; and offering technical assistance and information regarding municipal forestry.

History

The Suburban Tree Consortium was created in 1985 by a group of municipalities wishing to improve the quality and selection of parkway trees in the Chicago area. Low bid selections year after year had brought about high mortality rates, which in turn had an effect on the municipality’s credibility. Additionally, low bid requirements provided for little continuity and consistency with area nurseries, resulting in poor quality and selection.

The communities lobbied, with the help of the West Central Municipal Conference, to change state statute to extend the length of time municipalities could enter into contractual relationships with area nurseries. Today, Illinois State Law allows municipalities to enter into long term contractual relationships for the purpose of procuring parkway trees for up to ten years. The goal of the Consortium was and has been for a group of municipalities to enter into a contract growing arrangement whereby nurseries would grow trees according to predetermined specifications. Those trees would be made available for Fall and Spring plantings up to a five year period.

The benefit of municipalities working together is two-fold. First, buying power and economies of scale are increased by merging orders, and mortalities are decreased because of more stringent specifications and better relationships with area nurseries. Second, municipalities communicate more, increasing the awareness and promoting the concepts of urban forestry in general.

STC Programs

To help serve the urban forestry needs of a diverse group of municipalities, one program has been developed that promotes intergovernmental cooperation. Participation in this program in any year is strictly voluntary. Municipalities are not required to purchase a specific number of trees each year.

The Five Year Contractual Program allows towns with long term tree plans to project their needs ahead for five years. The nursery is inspected annually to ensure quality, adherence to STC specifications and plant availability. The municipality orders trees annually and actual expenditures are made when the plants are delivered. In most cases, availability is guaranteed in the fifth year.

For more information, please contact Judy Corvo.