The Morton Arboretum and the Chicago Region Trees Initiative (CRTI) are accepting sealed bids for 10 gallon and 15 gallon container-grown or containerized tree and shrub production contracts. Please note that each Request for Proposal (RFP) have different submission deadlines:
10 Gallon Contract Bids: Due by 5:00 p.m. CST on Friday, July 31, 2026
15 Gallon Contract Bids: Due by 5:00 p.m. CST on Friday, August 14, 2026
Informational Webinar
Are you a nursery or urban farm interested in learning about contract growing and partnering with The Morton Arboretum’s Chicago Region Trees Initiative?
Please check out the recording of our recent webinar below.
CRTI Contract Growing and Nursery Partnership Information Session
The virtual session includes details about 2026 opportunities for our Contract Growing Program and additional ways growers of all scales can partner with CRTI on community projects across Chicago’s seven county region.
Access a recording of the CRTI Contract Growing and Nursery Partnership Information Session.
We are excited to learn more about your operation and to explore potential opportunities for collaboration.
10 Gallon Request for Proposal
The Chicago Region Trees Initiative (CRTI), a program of The Morton Arboretum, is accepting sealed bids for the production and delivery of up to 2,000 container-grown or containerized trees and shrubs for 2027–2028.
Funding for this project is provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service through the Urban and Community Forestry Program.
Multiple vendors may be selected to fulfill the total quantity of trees and shrubs required. Deliveries must be completed within two years of contract execution, depending on species.
Minimum quantity per nursery: 400 trees over the duration of the contract.
Requests for Proposals for 2027–2028 contracts for 10-gallon containerized trees and shrubs are due by 5:00 p.m. CST on Friday, July 31, 2026.
Download and access the RFP as a DOC.
Download and access the RFP as a PDF.
15 Gallon Request for Proposal
The Chicago Region Trees Initiative (CRTI), a program of The Morton Arboretum, is accepting sealed bids for the production and delivery of up to 2,000 15-gallon container-grown or containerized trees and shrubs. Contract fulfillment will occur over a four to five year period, depending on species, from 2026–2031 following contract execution.
Funding for this project is provided through private and corporate donors in partnership with The Morton Arboretum and Chicago Region Trees Initiative.
Multiple vendors may be selected to fulfill the total quantity of trees and shrubs required.
Minimum quantity per nursery: 500 trees over the duration of the contract.
Requests for Proposals for five-year contracts for 15-gallon containerized trees and shrubs are due by 5:00 p.m. CST on Friday, August 14, 2026.