Celebrate Arbor Day With Tree-Themed 'Chalk the Walk'

Do you have an outstanding oak, a ravishing redbud or a magnificent maple tree in your yard that you would like to tell passersby about as they walk around the neighborhood?

If so, the Chicago Region Trees Initiative is inviting you to celebrate trees by using chalk to create tree IDs on your sidewalk or driveway. And the Forest Preserve District of Will County is promoting the program locally.

"It's no secret that trees help us feel better, both physically and emotionally," the Chicago Region Trees Initiative wrote in a message announcing ways to celebrate Arbor Day on Friday, April 24. "So let’s show them some appreciation this week (and beyond) and share our love of trees with our neighbors."

This “chalk the walk” movement is sweeping through the United States and other countries as people look for creative ways to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic and stay-at-home orders. While some are sketching colorful art or positive messages of hope on sidewalks, others are focusing on nature in honor of Arbor Day and the 50th anniversary of Earth Day on Wednesday, April 22.

Staff from the Chicago Region Trees Initiative first read about the activity in an article about a woman in London who is writing tree appreciation messages with sidewalk chalk. For instance, the woman wrote, "Sycamore – a real survivor, grows anywhere!" and "London plane, (my favourite, takes pollution out of the air)."

Leaving tree IDs and notes for neighbors on your sidewalks is a nice way to appreciate the beauty of nature during these stressful times, said Ralph Schultz, the Forest Preserve District’s chief operating officer.

“Nature is thriving all around us,” he said, “in our yards and in our parkways. Celebrate Earth Day’s 50th anniversary and Arbor Day by expressing your appreciation for the trees around you. And plant a tree for our children and for theirs."

The Chicago Region Trees Initiative also encourages people to plant trees on Arbor Day and stream the process online, but to maintain appropriate social distancing measures while doing so and to postpone Arbor Day celebrations or gatherings until a later date.

Here are some tree-themed "chalk the walk" tips from the Chicago Region Trees Initiative:

• If you can't ID your trees, use The Morton Arboretum’s tree selector, ask if municipal staff can help identify trees located in a parkway, or write down why you like this tree and leave a note asking someone else to fill in the blank.
• When you create your sidewalk message, include what you like/love about your tree and what makes it important to you.
• If you don’t have sidewalk chalk, you can buy it online and have it delivered to your home.
• Tag @willcoforests on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and use #CelebrateTrees while telling your friends and neighbors to participate!