Freeport reclaims Tree City USA designation; two rare American chestnuts nominated for Illinois big-tree register

Freeport officials accepted renewal of the city’s Tree City USA designation and highlighted partnerships and volunteer programs that, they said, sustain the local urban forest. City Manager Boyer told the Committee of the Whole that Freeport has held the recognition since 2021 and earned a Tree City USA Growth Award in 2023. “These honors are not just accolades. They are a reflection of our values and of your leadership as the governing body of the city of Freeport,” Boyer said. The Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree City USA program requires four standards: a tree board or department, a public tree-care ordinance, a dedicated forestry budget and an Arbor Day observance. Boyer and staff credited city crews, volunteers and partner organizations — including the Freeport Park District and local workforce programs — for meeting those standards and carrying out planting and maintenance. Boyer also reported that two mature American chestnut trees in Crepe Park have been nominated as Illinois state champion trees; in the presentation he gave their approximate measurements as “approximately 73 feet tall with a 135 inch circumference.” He thanked staff and named contributors by role: Pat Ingram (city staff), forestry crew members Keith and James, Nick Connolly (Arbor Day logistics), Bruce Cubberley (Freeport Park District), and Tiffany Bender (application lead). During the public-comment period, resident Sue Cook asked whether cuttings would be taken to propagate saplings from the chestnuts so the city could expand the number of the rare trees and develop a tourism asset. Cook asked, “will we be taking cuttings from those or anything to kind of generate saplings so that we have the ability to not just have 2, but the ability to have more?” The transcript records the question but does not record a substantive response from staff on propagation plans. The presentation emphasized volunteer participation and named a local “yield program” led by Ted Oendahl, Robert Busch and Renato Wethersbee that the manager said helps plant and maintain trees while providing workforce skills. No formal council action was recorded in the transcript on the Tree City items. Freeport’s renewed designation signals continued emphasis on urban forestry in city planning and parks operations; staff and the committee did not announce a specific follow-up plan for chestnut propagation during the meeting.