~ March 31, 2025

These past few weeks have been a whirlwind of fresh air, muddy boots, and great conversations out in the field. My dad and I have been spending our mornings walking the nursery rows with city foresters and arborists from all over the region, tagging trees for their spring planting projects.

We’ve had the pleasure of welcoming Mark from Elmhurst, Nick from Burr Ridge, Michael from Arlington Heights, and a wonderful crew from the Klehm Arboretum out to the farm. Each group brought their own unique perspective, and it was fun to walk the rows together, hand-selecting trees, sharing stories, and talking about urban forestry.

There’s something special about these visits. Not only do we get to showcase the trees we’ve nurtured, but we also get to connect more deeply with the people who are planting them in their communities. They get to see the growing process firsthand, which brings a whole new appreciation for the trees they’ll be planting.

And let’s be honest, there’s no better way to spend a spring morning than walking through the nursery, talking trees, and soaking up the sunshine. It’s a great break from the desk, and always a reminder of why we love this work.

Some of the standout selections we’ve been tagging include Regal Prince and Crimson Spire Oak, Shingle and Bur Oak, Pyramidal European Hornbeam, Gladiator Crabapple, Armstrong Gold Red Maple, Sun Valley Maple, State Street Maple, Green Mountain Silver Linden, Redmond Linden, Eastern Redbud, Exclamation! and Monumental London Planetree, just to name a few!

Tagging appointments are now in full swing, and our dig crews are working hard to keep up with the pace. Orders are being harvested daily, and the energy around the nursery is buzzing – spring has officially sprung!

Here’s a look at some of the beautiful trees we’ve been tagging. Keep following along for more behind-the-scenes moments as we dig into another exciting season!

~ Maggie Thomas Harper