Why is the linden tree well-suited to plant in Chicago?
Trees on Chicago’s parkways and boulevards are City property. Free parkway trees are available through the Bureau of Forestry, which plants approximately 5,000 trees each year, mostly cultivars of Honey Locust, Green Ash and Linden. Other urban-hardy trees such as the Gingko are available, but in limited supply, on a first-come, first-served basis. Parkway trees must be able to cope with extreme temperatures, pollution and road salt spray and run-off. Placed properly, their habits (the shapes to which they naturally grow) do not interfere with sight lines for street signs and traffic lights. We recommend the following: * Bald Cypress: This sturdy tree resembles a pine in shape and needle appearance, but loses its needles after turning rust-colored in autumn. It grows 50′ to 70′. * Bird Cherry: This is one of the first trees to leaf out in spring and its white flowers are quite fragrant. Its black fruit is attractive to wildlife.The Bird Cherry grows 30′ to 40′. * Bur Oak: Large, durabl
