This week’s installment of our series on the native trees of the Chicago area highlights the sassafras tree.  Sassafras trees have a stunning appearance both in season and in the fall because of their white flowers that bloom in the spring and the vibrant yellows, oranges, and reds of its leaves in the fall.  One of the most defining characteristics of the sassafras tree is the aromas that come from all parts of the tree, including the leaves...

This week, we continue our ongoing series of Chicago’s native trees by highlighting the ash tree.  The ash tree has somewhat of a tragic tale in the Chicago area.  This tall, flowering tree has long had a strong presence throughout Illinois, but the introduction of the emerald ash borer has decimated the ash tree population.  The state of Illinois even had a quarantine on ash trees to restrict the movement of the trees and firewood cut from ash...