The heat index in the Chicago area this week will soar above 100 degrees, and the places most impacted by the heat could share a notable characteristic.
The effects of extreme heat highlight disparities across Chicago neighborhood in more ways than one, according to recent studies. Areas with a healthy tree canopy can feel up to 10 degrees cooler than nearby areas without trees, experts say, and neighborhoods with lacking tree coverage tend to be under-resourced areas, that data has shown.
“In many cases a lack of trees and the problems their absence bring, more heat and more flooding, can be directly tied to the results of long standing racial discrimination and redlining in communities,” said Zach Wirtz, Director of the Morton Arboretum Chicago Region Trees Initiative (CRTI). “Urban heat islands forms because concrete, asphalt, other built surfaces absorb heat during the day and then slowly radiate that heat throughout the rest of that afternoon and evening.”
“Redlining” is the past practice of denying home loans in certain areas based on race, and it can have long-lasting impacts on the number of trees in impacted areas.
“The historic lack of investment in redlined areas included a lack of tree planting and maintenance,” the CRTI website says.
CRTI works with the city on equity of tree distribution. They support the “Our Roots Chicago” initiative with its tree ambassador program, providing training resources and funding for neighbors and groups to help plant more trees.
CRTI’s interactive map shows the areas with the least amount of tree canopy correlate to higher surface temperatures. Those neighborhoods are primarily on Chicago’s south and far west sides.
“This open bare concrete sucks in this heat all day and then releases it at night,” said Adonnis Platt, a community farm steward with nonprofit Grow Greater Englewood (GGE) said. “These vacant lots as we know in Englewood specifically are mostly owned by the city. So how are we as community members advocating and working with city officials to activate these green spaces to reduce some of this extreme heat.”
GGE advocates for environmental justice and works to beautify the neighborhood. One example is through the Englewood Village Plaza, a once vacant lot now filled with community gardens and plants.
“Tree canopy is the greatest predictor of a safe neighborhood,” said Steve Archer II of St. Sabina’s Stein Learning Gardens.
He explains trees don’t just help in cases of extreme heat, but also extreme storms and flooding.
“All that [tree] surface is slowing down the water hitting the soil, allowing it to be absorbed faster and allowing it to make its way into the aquifer,” he said.
Jennifer Stewart of GGE says part of their mission is to educate the community on the importance of trees for generations to come.
“Someone who plants a tree knowing they’ll never sit in the shade of it has at least began to understand the meaning of life,” she said, quoting a native poem.
Residents who want to request a tree in front of their home or block can call 311, or fill out an application online.
Those with questions about trees in their neighborhood, including maintenance and care, can call the Morton Arboretum to speak with their plant experts at no cost.