The Million Trees Project

Living Lands & Waters has been collecting and planting seeds of native hardwood trees at a nursery in Beardstown with the goal of growing 1 million trees in the next five to 10 years. Those trees will be replanted along the shorelines and on the islands of the state’s major waterways, as well as within the towns and cities of volunteers.

Over the past 150 years, tree diversity has declined along the shores of rivers such as the Illinois, Mississippi and Ohio. Most of the native fruit- and nut-bearing hardwood trees that once grew were depleted for fuel and building materials during the Steamboat Era and by flooding and disease.

The residual effect has been a monoculture of cottonwoods, silver maples and willows, which outgrow and crowd out many native fruit- and nut-bearing hardwoods, such as oaks, hickories, hackberries, mulberries, pecan and paw paw.

Diversifying the current makeup of trees along shorelines helps protect against viruses, bores and other threats that could otherwise deplete an entire forest made up of just one or two species.

Native trees have evolved in a regional environment, allowing them to develop natural defenses to withstand many types of insects and diseases, as well as severe winters and summer droughts. They typically thrive with minimal maintenance and have a much higher survival rate than non-native or “introduced” tree species. Native trees that evolved with local flora and fauna help support the web of life without being overwhelmed by it.

Yet, many species of wildlife have nearly disappeared from the riverbanks because of the absence of food. The trees that currently grow on the river have little or no food value for wildlife. The Million Trees Project will only plant trees that produce nuts and fruits so that ducks, songbirds, squirrels, wild turkeys and other animals have a viable food source. These strong hardwoods create a welcoming habitat for wildlife and nesting birds.

For aquatic life, shade from trees keeps waterways cool during hot weather. The shade also reduces the intensity of algae blooms and the undesirable overgrowth of vegetation caused by high concentrates of plant nutrients in the water.

Trees act as filters and help reduce the amount of pollution and runoff entering the state’s creeks, rivers and streams. Long and strong roots help keep the ground in place and reduce erosion. Leaves filter the air and produce oxygen. And by absorbing carbon, trees reduce the impact of climate change.

Aside from all the health and wildlife benefits, trees increase the aesthetics of a landscape everywhere they are planted.

from Living Lands & Waters materials

Illinois Issues, July/August 2009