The mayor joined officials with "Openlands Urban Forestry" in the Chicago Lawn Neighborhood.
The group plans to increase the number and quality of trees city-wide.
The mayor says the planting is part of the sustainability of Chicago communities.
"To be economically sustainable, it means that both schools, public transportation, libraries, streetscape - all the things in parks that go into giving a quality of life - so both families and businesses can thrive," Emanuel said.
The mayor says every playground in Chicago will be totally rebuilt within the next five years as part of city redeveloping efforts.
