At A. Finkl & Sons Co., we are deeply committed to improving and beautifying our environment through tree planting and reforestation. In this section of our site, you can learn more about our Forging a Fresher America program. Among the goals of Forging a Fresher America: To plant 6,000,000 trees in protected forests in Wisconsin and Illinois.

What is Finkl Landscaping?
Finkl Landscaping is a full-service landscaping & landscape management company that contracts with local businesses, neighborhood groups, governmental bodies and other organizations to provide landscape design, installation, and maintenance in the spring through fall and snow removal in the winter.

The majority of Finkl Landscaping's profits go toward environmental initiatives that Finkl supports, such as the Chicago Gateway Green Committee, the City of Chicago Department of Environment, the Chicago Environmental Fund and the Sheffield Neighborhood Association Beautification Project. The most recent project will be the rehabbing of the Armitage Avenue "L" stop scheduled to begin in October 2000. The remaining funds go toward additional local charities and neighborhood institutions.

Visit the Finkl Landscaping website for more information.

Welcome to Finkl Flowers, a guide through the botanical life that beautifies the A. Finkl & Sons surroundings in Lincoln Park, Chicago. Click here to start you Finkl Flowers experience.

"I think that I shall never see a poem as lovely as a tree."
~ Joyce Kilmer

At A. Finkl & Sons Co., we are deeply committed to improving and beautifying our environment through tree planting and reforestation. In this section of our site, you can learn more about our Forging a Fresher America program. Among the goals of Forging a Fresher America: To plant 6,000,000 trees in protected forests in Wisconsin and Illinois.

A. Finkl & Sons Co. launched the Forging a Fresher America program to address our concern about the amount of carbon dioxide (CO₂) in the atmosphere.

It's important to note that carbon dioxide (CO₂)is not a pollutant, but rather a building block of life on Earth as we know it. It is necessary for the growth of all plants, and therefore, all life on this planet. Plants, including grains, need CO₂ to grow. The fact that plants emit oxygen (O2) as a result is necessary to the animal life on Earth.

However, in the last 200 years, there has been an increase in the amount of CO₂ in the atmosphere from about 250 PPM to 350 PPM (as the graph on the left indicates, the increase since the late 1950s has even been remarkable). The increased level results from the burning of fossil fuels and coincides with the advent of the Industrial Revolution. In later years the level appears to be increasing at the rate of 1 PPM per year.

Does CO₂ contribute to global warming? The scientific community is not in agreement that global warming is taking place, or is even imminent. However there is agreement that if it does occur, the level of CO₂ in the atmosphere will be a major contributing factor.

A. Finkl & Sons Co. initiated the "Forging A Fresher America" program in 1989. We felt it was important to find a way to plant enough trees to absorb the carbon dioxide (CO₂) emitted from our facilities in Chicago, Illinois. Analysis revealed that if we enabled the planting of 2,000,000 trees, they would be far more than necessary to simply absorb our own CO₂ emissions. Further, with huge numbers of trees being destroyed in the world's rain forests, we believe that a tree planting program to help replace those trees makes even more sense.

Of course, it's not all about carbon dioxide -- trees do much more than simply absorb CO₂. They shade, filter, cool, reduce noise, reduce energy consumption, stabilize soil, minimize erosion, shelter wildlife, and impart psychological, economic, and aesthetic values to the human condition.

And nothing is so lovely as a tree.

How much CO₂ do you emit? Click here for a handy guide.

What have trees done for you lately? Plenty! Trees (and all green plants, for that matter) consume carbon dioxide and release fresh oxygen into the atmosphere.

Here are the number of trees required to absorb the CO₂ we generate every day.

Object or Substance	Therms/Year	CO2 Generated	Estimated Number of Trees Required to Absorb the CO2(all numbers approximate)
1 gallon of gasoline (125,000 Btu/gal.)	1.25	15 lbs.	0.63 of one tree
1 therm of natural gas(100,000 Btu/therm)	1.0	12 lbs.	1/2 of one tree
1 gallon of heating oil(140,000 Btu/gal)	1.4	17 lbs.	0.70 of one tree
1 automobile(15,000 miles/year, 15 miles per gallon, 1,000 gallons)	1,250	15,000 lbs.	625 trees
An average house heated with natural gas(1,510 therms)	1,510	18,120 lbs.	725 trees
An average house heated heating oil(1,000 gallons)	1,400	17,000 lbs.	700 trees

Our Forging a Fresher America program includes the following primary and additional efforts:

Primary Efforts

In the Northern Highland American Legion State Forest of Wisconsin, 100,000 Jack Pine and Red Pine seedlings were planted in each of 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, and 200,000 in 1996. Thus 800,000 conifer seedlings are planted, and in 1997 we will have enabled the planting of one million conifer seedlings in Wisconsin. The State of Wisconsin makes all the decisions and manages the program. Our only request is that the trees be allowed to grow with a minimum of thinning (some periodic thinning is necessary) until the trees are close to a natural death in 80 to 100 years.

In Ferne Clyffe State Park and satellite parks in the southernmost portion of Illinois, 800,000 deciduous seedlings have been planted over the same period. Thus in 1997, we will reach one million deciduous seedlings planted in Illinois. The deciduous seedlings planted are white oak, red oak, black oak, pin oak, burr oak, green ash, white ash, black cherry, black walnut, pecan, hazelnut, elderberry, coralberry, American plum, cherry bark oak and mixed hickory. The Illinois Department of Conservation makes all the decisions and manages the program. Our only request is that the trees be allowed to grow with a minimum of thinning until they are close to a natural death in 80 to 100 years.

Additional Efforts

Every year, we give a sapling or liner, 6' to 8' high, with branches, to any of the 500 Finkl employees and retirees who wish to plant them. They can plant their trees anywhere, just so they get them in the ground quickly after they pick them up. We distributed 230 Greenspire Lindens in 1990, 215 Skyline Locusts in 1991, 254 Summit Seedless Green Ash in 1992, 580 Redspire Pear in 1993, 520 Spring Snow flowering fruitless Crabapple in 1994, 340 Greenspire Lindens again in 1995 and 450 Profusion flowering Crabapple trees in 1996 to our employees and retirees. This is a yearly renewable program.

Within the City of Chicago, Finkl has participated in Mayor Daley's "GreenStreets Program," which plants trees at schools, parks, and parkways. In addition, Finkl is an active supporter of other tree-planting programs around the city.

Finkl's international network includes distributors and/or warehouses in the following international locations: Canada, Mexico, United Kingdom, Sweden, Portugal, Poland, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Australia. Tree plantings are being planned for all of these locations.

In 1994, Finkl built the first Urban Manufacturing Campus in Chicago. Hundreds of trees, bushes and flowers have been planted around our plant. Street spanning white arches have been installed. Industrial sculpture is prominently located. White park benches are available. Southport Ave. has become a place for joggers, bicyclists, skaters and walkers. Improvements will continue.

In 1995, Finkl sponsored 2500 copies of "City Trees -- The City of Chicago's Guide to Urban Tree Care" for distribution through the Chicago Public Library System.

In honor of the 1996 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Finkl beautified the corner of Washington & Paulina Streets near the United Center (site of the convention) with berms, trees and sod.

Although Finkl supports planting in the City of Chicago and has undertaken a major relandscaping of the areas around its plant, you won't find the bulk of our trees planted anywhere near here. Because the goal of our effort is long-term improvement of our world's ecosystem, Finkl trees are planted and cared for in protected forests in Illinois and Wisconsin. Under the care and nurturing of professional foresters, these trees will live a natural lifespan of 80 to 100 years. Here are maps showing where our trees are planted:

Northern Highlands American Legion State Forest of Wisconsin	Ferne Clyffe State Park & Satellite Parks in Southern Illinois
Click Here For Map (PDF) - 1.1MB http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/	Ferne Clyffe State Park Info

Frederick Law Olmsted Award - 1991 & 2003 From:The National Arbor Day Foundation The National Arbor Foundation honored A. Finkl & Sons with the prestigious Fredrick Law Olmsted Award in both 1991 and 2003. This award was for our “Forging a Fresher America” program which started in 1989. This program’s goal was to plant enough trees to absorb the carbon dioxide from the A. Finkl & Sons plant. The Arbor Day Award is for the commitment to tree panting and conservation in improvement of America’s communities and landscapes. Friends of the Park Award - May 1, 1998 From:Friends of the Park This beautiful bench was awarded to A. Finkl & Sons for its commitment to the environment and beautifying the city of Chicago. The State of Illinois Conservation Award - September 25, 1992 From:The State of Illinois Conservation This award was presented to A. Finkl & Sons for the planting of millions of trees in order to mitigate the release of carbon dioxide. These trees will eventually remove over 50,000 tons of carbon dioxide annually from the earth atmosphere. Mayor's Landscaping Award - 1997 From:City of Chicago This award is from both the city of Chicago and the state of Illinois for vision and commitment in the beautifying of the mid-west. The Bright New City Award - 1999 From:City of Chicago This award was presented to A. Finkl & Sons for the brightening of Chicago. Urbs In Horto - 1996 From:Gateway Green A. Finkl & Sons was the recipient of the annual “Urbs In Orto” award in 1996 given by Chicago Gateway Green committee. This award was given for environmental contributions both in and out of the city. This event was celebrated via dinner and program at the Crystal Gardens in Navy Pier. Special Recognition Award - October 1996 From:U.S. Department of Energy This is an award for A. Finkl & Sons outstanding contributions in promoting environmentally sustainable energy. Department of Energy Award - May 1996 From:U.S. Department of Energy This award was for A. Finkl & Sons contribution to the advancement of energy efficiency and pollution prevention technologies. Mayor's Landscaping Award Program - 1995 From:City of Chicago This award was in recognition for landscape contribution which beautifies the city and improves the environment. Friends of the Park Award - January 24, 1995 From:Friends of the Park This award was presented to A. Finkl & Sons for creating an exciting “green” industrial park design at Courtland and Southport Ave. that is opened and enjoyed by the community. Excellence In Landscaping - August 1994 From:ILCA This award was given for exceptional efforts in improving, protecting and preserving the environment through landscaping excellence and management. Illinois Family Business Of The Year Award - 1996 From: This award was given for local environmentally friendly family business.

Southern Illinois Trees - 1997 Number: 287,250 Acres: 546 State: Illinois Location: 37.2867N, 89.1460W Southern Illinois Trees - 1995 Number: 61,250 Acres: 140 State: Illinois Location: 37 17’ 4.75N, 89 08’ 43.52W Southern Illinois Trees - 1995 Number: 61,250 Acres: 140 State: Illinois Location: 37 17’ 4.75N, 89 08’ 43.52W Southern Illinois Trees - 2001 Number:133,000 Acres:304 State: Illinois Location: 37.2704N, 89.1911W Southern Illinois Trees - 2000 Number: 147,000 Acres: 335 State: Illinois Location: 37.2813N, 89.2677W Southern Illinois Trees - 2001 Number: 133,000 Acres:304 State: Illinois Location: 37.2940N, 89.1333W Southern Illinois Trees - 2000 Number: 147,000 Acres: 335 State: Illinois Location: 37.2580N, 89.2036W Southern Illinois Trees - 2001 Number: 133,000 Acres:304 State: Illinois Location: 37.2940N, 89.1333W

Believe it or not, creating a program like Forging a Fresher America isn't all that easy. When we kicked off this effort, we had no idea how or where to go about affordably (yes, that matters) planting millions of trees.

Back in 1989, we approached many organizations and many states before we settled on partners who shared our philosophies and goals. Since that time, we've concentrated in helping other companies who are interested in launching similar efforts learn from our mistakes.

We now offer a brochure entitled, "Reading this will only take a moment of your time... but it could mean a lifetime of fresh air for your children" to interested companies. In fact, since 1990 we've shared our experience with nearly 1,000 companies in Illinois and about 70 in New Mexico (at the request of the "Tree New Mexico" program).

And for those who are truly serious, we'll even work with you to help get your program off (or is that in?) the ground. If you'd like to know more, write or call our resident tree guru.