The Suburban Tree Consortium (STC) was created in 1985 by a group of municipalities seeking to improve the quality, selection and availability of parkway trees in the Chicagoland area. The STC is a public-private partnership between 44 communities and several local nurseries. The goal of the STC is for a group of municipalities to enter into a contractual growing arrangement whereby nurseries plant and maintain trees according to predetermined specifications. Those trees would be available in advance for fall and spring plantings up to a five-year period. Planting contracts are then bid out annually for the selected trees.  

The benefit of municipalities working together is two-fold. First, buying power and economies of scale are increased by merging orders, and mortality rates are decreased because of more stringent specifications and better relationships with area nurseries. Second, municipalities communicate more increasing the awareness and promoting the concepts of urban forestry in general. Membership and participation in the STC is for five-year periods.   

The Village first became a member of the STC in March of 2004. In early 2013, the Village pre-purchased 7,025 trees from the STC to use for replanting trees lost from the Emerald Ash Borer. To continue membership and make use of the pre-purchased trees, the Village would need to continue to pay an annual membership fee of $575 and pass the attached Resolution. It is estimated that the Village will continue to save an average of $30,000  over the next five years through this cooperative membership arrangement.  

Staff recommends the Village Board approve the Village’s continued membership in the Suburban Tree Consortium for the next five years.  

RECOMMENDATION

It is recommended that the Village Board approve the attached Resolution pledging the Village’s continued membership and participation in the Suburban Tree Consortium.