Planting native trees in Chicago helps rebuild the urban canopy and support wildlife. Finding quality, large native specimens is the challenge. Here are seven trusted Chicagoland nurseries and tree companies where you can find and plant native trees in the Chicago area.
- iTrees.com
iTrees.com is a family-operated tree company that sources large, locally grown trees from reputable Chicagoland-area nurseries, including their family partner nursery, Spring Grove Nursery. Their inventory includes many of the most popular native Illinois species, from Bur Oak and Swamp White Oak to Serviceberry, Redbud, Hackberry, and Kentucky Coffee Tree.
Every tree is a large ball and burlap specimen selected for quality, and all professional installations include free delivery and the iTrees.com Assurance™ Full Replacement Warranty. What sets iTrees.com apart is its genuine knowledge of native species performance in local conditions, combined with personalized advice on placement and care. For homeowners who want native trees planted correctly by a team that knows the Chicagoland climate, iTrees.com is the best and most reliable choice.
Best for:
- Large, locally grown native trees in ball and burlap sizes
- Professional planting with a full replacement warranty
- Personalized native species recommendations for your specific yard
- Free delivery with professional installation
- CommuniTrees program for community and municipal native tree planting
- Possibility Place Nursery
Located in Monee, Illinois, Possibility Place Nursery focuses exclusively on native plants and trees grown from local seed sources. Their inventory includes a strong selection of native tree species suited to the Chicagoland region, from Oaks and Hickories to Dogwoods and Birches.
Best for:
- Native plants and trees grown from local genetic seed sources
- Homeowners committed to ecological restoration and local provenance
- Wide variety of native species, including understory trees and shrubs
- Education and resources on native landscaping
- The Growing Place
The Growing Place, with locations in Naperville and Aurora, carries a solid selection of native trees and shrubs alongside their broader inventory. Their staff is knowledgeable about native species performance in DuPage and Kane County soils, and they regularly stock Redbud, Serviceberry, Hackberry, and native Oaks.
Best for:
- In-person shopping with hands-on staff guidance
- Western suburb homeowners in the Naperville and Aurora area
- Native trees alongside a full garden center inventory
- Seasonal workshops and educational events on native planting
- Midwest Groundcovers
Midwest Groundcovers in St. Charles is a large nursery with a strong emphasis on native and climate-adapted plant material. Their tree selection includes many Illinois native species in sizes ranging from young stock to more established specimens. They sell to both wholesale and retail customers, making them accessible to homeowners as well as landscape professionals.
Best for:
- Large native plant and tree inventory with wholesale pricing
- Fox Valley and far western suburb homeowners
- Landscape professionals and homeowners shopping the same stock
- Climate-adapted native species suited to northeastern Illinois
- Spring Grove Nursery
Spring Grove Nursery is one of the most well-respected local growers in the Chicagoland area, producing field-grown trees suited to the regional climate. Their inventory includes native species like Bur Oak, Swamp White Oak, Hackberry, and others that perform well in northeastern Illinois.
Best for:
- Field-grown native trees acclimated to the Chicagoland climate
- Large caliper native shade trees grown locally
- Wholesale purchasing for large-scale or commercial projects
- Platt Hill Nursery
Platt Hill Nursery in Bloomingdale and Carpentersville maintains a broad tree inventory that includes native species popular with Chicagoland homeowners. They regularly stock Redbud, Serviceberry, native Oaks, and other Illinois-adapted species.
Best for:
- Northwest suburban homeowners in Cook and Kane counties
- Native species alongside a full range of landscaping products
- Staff guidance on matching native trees to yard conditions
- Red's Garden Center
Red's Garden Center in Downers Grove has served the western suburbs for years with a carefully selected inventory of trees, shrubs, and perennials. They carry native tree species suited to DuPage County conditions, and their team can provide straightforward guidance on which natives work best for shade, screening, and ornamental use.
Best for:
- DuPage County homeowners looking for a trusted neighborhood source
- Smaller, curated inventory focused on quality over volume
How to Pick the Right Company for Native Tree Planting
Here is what to consider when choosing a company:
- Confirm the trees are locally grown. Native species grown in the Chicagoland region are already adapted to local soils, temperatures, and moisture patterns. Trees shipped from out-of-state growers may carry the same species name but struggle to perform in Illinois conditions.
- Ask about available sizes. Some nurseries sell native trees only in small container sizes, which take many years to make a visual impact. If you want a tree that provides shade or screening within a few years of planting, look for companies that carry large ball and burlap specimens in a 2-inch caliper or larger.
- Look for professional planting services. Large native trees are heavy and must be planted at the correct depth to survive long-term. Companies that provide professional installation give your tree the best chance of establishing well.
- Check the warranty. A replacement warranty demonstrates that the company stands behind the health and quality of its stock. This is especially valuable with native species, which can sometimes be slower to leaf out in the first spring after planting and may cause unnecessary worry without professional reassurance.
- Ask about species diversity. A good native tree supplier will encourage you to diversify beyond just one species. Planting a mix of Oaks, Serviceberry, Redbud, and Hackberry, for example, creates a more resilient landscape than a row of identical trees.
For Chicago-area homeowners who want to plant native trees with confidence, iTrees.com is the top local source for large, locally grown native species, professional planting, and the expert guidance that helps every tree succeed in your yard for years to come.