Volunteers planted 30 trees and 300 perennials last week during the annual Saluting Branches event at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery.
Professional arborists and landscape companies donate time and equipment each September during the volunteer effort at national veterans cemeteries across the United States.
The 101 volunteers at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery on Wednesday was the biggest turnout in Elwood yet for Saluting Branches, said Jim Teiber, arborist for the city of Joliet.
Teiber has been the local coordinator for Saluting Branches, which is in its fifth year.
The biggest project at the Elwood cemetery last week was the removal of a dying oak tree near the main shelter where people gather for services and ceremonies, Teiber said.
“It was pretty much gone, and it was a hazard,” Teiber said. “It was No. 1 on what we were going to do for the day.”
Teiber estimated the tree was about 100 years old. It measured 46 inches in diameter at the trunk.
The oak tree was removed by D Ryan Tree & Landscape out of DeKalb, one of the landscape companies providing employees or equipment. Others were ArborTek Services in Joliet, Kramer Tree Specialists in West Chicago and Green Scene in St. Charles.
Nurseries that donated trees and perennials were The Fields on Caton Farm in Crest Hill, Green Glen Nursery in Elwood, Winding Creek Nursery & Garden Center in Millbrook, and Spring Grove Nursery in Mazon.
In addition to Joliet, the cities of Naperville and Elmhurst provided city arborists for the effort.
Other services were from Rainbow Tree Scientific Advancements, the Cantigny Foundation and Lutheran Church Charities.