While many understand the basic benefits of trees, from improving the air we breath, to shade from the hot summer days, there's another benefit for Chicago residents to consider: it could save a car from crashing into your house.

Some parkways are wide and houses set back further than the average 15+ feet, but even so, serious accidents can jetison a parked car into your unprotected parkway and onto your front lawn. 

Every block and property is a bit different in Chicago, and many have fences guarding entrances to their residences, but one thing is for sure: a large, thick tree trunk could stop even large SUVs from careening any further on your property.

Don't be fooled by your unassuming low-traffic street, your one way (some lead to increased speeds) or the lower-than-average crime on your block. Because sh*t happens.

As a victim of a freak (but not so freak because it's Chicago) accident, my parked car was involved in a one way street pinball exercise of an uninsured driver, hitting 6 cars, 3 one one side of the street, 3 on the other. The large Ford Bronco parked behind me was flipped over on it's hood on the sidewalk, but the trajectory forced it to make impact with a mature Linden tree to avoided impact with the residence.

The culprit: A reckless, beat up Mazda Rx7. Tiny and low. Enough to flip that Bronco like a Mexican coke bottle top sending it flying toward it's next barrier. Thank goodness it was a tree and not a person.

Find out about ordering a tree in your parkway, or just dial 311 and request one.