Part of a healthy community tree canopy is the management of damaged and deceased trees for safety and to make room for new plantings. Towns of all sizes struggle to handle the shear number of trees that need to be removed due to Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), natural disasters, or other causes. Trees Forever offers tree removal grants to Illinois Tree City USA communities up to a maximum of $25,000.
Eligible communities must have Tree City USA designation. These competitive grants pay for tree removal of dead, dying, or damaged trees by a certified professional. Communities can then be eligible for a tree planting grant to replace trees that are removed.
Ready to Apply?
Step 1: Check eligibility
All communities applying for this grant must have Tree City USA designation. Additionally, see if your community qualifies at the Illinois IRA Screening Tool map. For guidance on using the eligibility map please watch this short video.
Step 2: Prepare request for proposal (RFP) and get quotes
Find further instructions in this linked document.
Step 3: Complete and submit application
Complete the online application below. If you have questions or need assistance, contact Trees Forever Illinois Field Coordinator, Erik Notz, at enotz@treesforever.org.
Helpful Links:
Program Partners:
Grant funding is provided through the Inflation Reduction Act, U.S. Forest Service, and Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
These grant funds are from the USFS Urban and Community Forestry Inflation Reduction Act and are to be made available through competitive sub-awards to nature-deprived populations and disadvantaged communities for a variety of urban and community forestry based activities including, tree inventories, urban forest management plans, tree planting, urban wood utilization, urban food forests, and workforce development.