Twenty percent of the trees in Chicago's parks have been damaged by charcoal dumping.
Urban trees face dangers beyond pollution, road salt and poor soil conditions.
Trees in parks are all too often used as convenient dumping grounds for hot barbecue charcoal, which can cause considerable damage. City trees are also used to hang banners, signs and holiday decorations. Such practices can potentially girdle and kill trees if they are not installed properly and removed promptly. The distinctive aroma of a barbecue along the lakefront is among the City's tastiest. But a picnic in the park can become tragedy for a tree if hot charcoal is dumped at its base at the end of the meal.