• Tree Evaluation 

• Parkway Tree Trimming

• Tree Planting Program  

• Parkway Tree Watering Program

• Fallen Tree Limb 

Observe

Trees are living things and should be looked after as so. Inspect trees from the bottom to the top while looking for:

• Hollowing of trunks, which can indicate a dead or dying tree.
• Small holes, decay, cracks, or crumbling bark as this can be a sign of disease or bug infestation.
• Yellow leaves as this could occur from too much water, not enough water, or soil damage.
• Sparse leaves as this is usually as sign of stress, which can be caused by insects, disease, drought, or soil compaction.

Watering

Watering is very important to the growth and health of any tree. Most established trees do not need additional watering during the summer months except if the tree is less than 4 years old or temperatures are consistently above average.

• If the tree is less than 4 years old or temperatures are consistently above average, the rule of thumb is 10 gallons of water per week for every inch of the tree trunk’s diameter.  
• If you see puddling under the tree after watering or rain events, this could indicate drainage problems.
• Keep in mind that you can over water trees, which can cause the tree to decline.

Pruning

Pruning is important because it is critical to preserving the tree’s health, the tree’s appearance, and the community’s safety. While pruning usually occurs in the fall, winter, and spring, pruning can be done in the summer if necessary. When pruning tress, it is important to:

• Prune dead branches to remove any dead and decaying wood.
• Prune fruit trees in late winter or early spring to avoid tree stress.
• Prune trees that flower in the spring after they finish blooming.

Mulching

Mulching is important because it helps retain moisture, controls soil temperature, and cuts down on weeds and fungi. When mulching, it is important to:

• Create a donut around the base while leaving at least 6 inches of soil directly around the trunk.
• Disperse mulch so that the depth is approximately 3 inches deep and no deeper than 4 inches.
• Pull mulch away from the base of the tree trunk, so it does not pile up against the trunk.

Fertilizing

Trees and shrubs do not require fertilizer, but it does help to support health and aids growth. When fertilizing trees, it is important to:

• Fertilize prior to the growth season.
• Use slow release fertilizers as they are better for the environment.
• Avoid fertilizing trees stressed by drought during the summer months.

Working Together to Keep Newly Planted Parkway Trees Healthy

This is a voluntary program available to residents who had a parkway tree replaced during the previous 5 years (for example: In 2023, trees planted in the Spring of 2018 or later are eligible for the program). The program provides a $25 credit on your water bill in exchange for assisting the Public Works Department by watering your parkway tree. You may also keep the tree watering bag.  Public Works crews will place a tree bag on your tree. You will then need to add water to the tree bag twice per week. This is roughly the equivalent of 40 gallons of water over the course of the program. Your $25 credit will appear on your next billing cycle after the program has completed.

To participate in the program contact the Public Works Department at (847) 734-8800 or fill out a request form online by clicking here.

How to Take Care of Your Young Parkway Tree Using a Tree Bag in Four Easy Steps

Step 1 - Public Works crews will install the tree watering bag on your young parkway tree. The bag installs easily, just place it at the base of the tree and zip it up.

Step 2 - Once installed, the tree bag will need to be filled with water. To find the opening, lift up on the manufacturer’s informational tag located at the top of the bag. Insert a standard garden hose and begin to fill with water. 

Step 3 - Fill the tree bag approximately one-fourth full, and then pull up on the handles located at the top. Pull the bag up slightly off the ground and then set the bag back down. This will ensure that the bag sits flat at the tree base and fill the bag to the top.

Step 4  - Once the tree bag is full, the water will drain out slowly over the next 5 to 24 hours. It will need to be filled twice per week, weather permitting. Do not fill more than twice per week or add any chemicals to the water (i.e. fertilizer). Please keep watering the tree bag until mid-October, at which time Public Works crews will return to remove the tree bag.

Newly planted parkway trees require special care during their first few years.  Our combined efforts will ensure proper establishment and healthy growth of the parkway tree. Please note that the transplanting procedure is traumatic to a tree, and many trees may demonstrate symptoms of shock including withered leaves or leaf loss. 

After trees are planted in the spring, the Public Works Department will normally add a tree watering bag in May or June. If the rainfall totals remain above average, the Public Works Department may elect to delay placing the bags until the weather dictates. The tree watering bags will be filled about once a week for the first year by our Public Works Department staff.  Please do not water the tree during the first year as overwatering may be harmful to the tree.

The second year residents are encouraged to take part in our tree watering program.  Residents are offered a $25 credit on their water bill to fill a tree bag once each week. When the tree was planted, mulch was placed around the base of the tree.  Mulch helps retain soil moisture and moderate temperature extremes that can affect root growth.  The use of mulch also prevents damage from lawn mowers and string trimmers.  Mulch volcanoes, decorative rock, and plastic weed barriers cause damage to young trees and should be avoided.

Lawn mowers and string trimmers need to be kept away from the trunks of trees.  Repetitive damage to the bark can lead to the tree’s death.  Also, careful application of weed treatments is advised.  Spray drift and excessive use can cause severe damage to tree foliage and roots.

Transplant Shock - Transplant shock is fairly common in newly transplanted trees. Researchers have found that a tree can lose as much as 90% of its root system when it is removed from the nursery. This causes a great deal of stress on the plant as it is tries to reestablish itself. Approximately one year of recovery is needed for every inch of tree diameter. Water is probably the most important element in caring for new trees. Since a newly transplanted tree has not extended its roots into the existing soil, adequate moisture needs to reach the root ball.

Village parkway trees are trimmed within various sections of the community during the months of December through March. The trees are pruned to eliminate low hanging branches, remove dead or damaged limbs, and reshape the tree crown thus enhancing and preserving the tree’s health and appearance. The objectives of the trimming operation include the following:

• Allow sun light to penetrate the crown of the tree to promote new growth and strengthen existing  limbs.
• Eliminate weak forks in tree stems and reduce the weight on support limbs.
• Reduce the possibility of future damage to the tree by high winds and storms.
• Maintain adequate visibility and vertical clearance for vehicle and pedestrian traffic. 

Public Works crews perform low branch trimming operations and remove damaged high branches. A tree contractor is typically hired to perform high branch tree trimming operations during the winter season. All branches are mulched promptly after trimming and the mulch is utilized to maintain landscape beds at various Village locations.

To view a map of the current tree trimming project, please click here.

After the trees are trimmed they may look barren until new Spring growth occurs. History has proven that proper tree trimming is vital in maintaining the appearance and health of our urban forest.

As work is performed near your home, you may experience some minor inconveniences. We apologize in advance for any inconvenience. If you have any questions, please contact the Department of Public Works.

Cottony Maple Scale

Sticky Substance
Have you noticed a sticky substance on your cars, trees, homes and other areas of your property this summer? This sticky substance is caused by cottony maple scale.  Cottony maple scale is primarily found on silver maples and boxelders but can also be found on other maples, white ash, hackberry, dogwood, beech, apple, oak, linden, elm, black and honey locust.

 

 

What is it?
Cottony maple scale is one of the largest and most conspicuous soft scale insects that attack ornamental plants. The overwintering form of the cottony maple scale is a small, brown, flattened 1/8 inch long scale attached to the bark of twigs and small branches. During the summer, the scale enlarges by secreting wax resulting in a body several times greater than the overwintering form. The immature scale is flat, oval shaped, and light yellow to green.

Is that popcorn in your tree?
Females produce white, cottony egg sacs that resemble pieces of popcorn on twigs. These scales also produce large amounts of liquid waste (honeydew) so leaves and anything else beneath the tree may be shiny and sticky. 

Is the sticky substance dangerous?
No the sticky substance is not dangerous. The sticky substance, known as honeydew, is secreted by the insects after they ingest tree leaves and sap. 

Why am I just now noticing the sticky substance?
Cottony maple scale is always present.  However, in some years, the scale population increases above “normal” and becomes large enough to get noticed. Due to a long wet spring immediately followed by a hot dry summer the scale has become more pronounced this year.  The dry weather has also caused the substance to become airborne and travel greater distances from the trees it originated from.

Why is the substance sometimes grainy and discolored?
Sometimes mold grows on the honeydew, which gives it a sooty appearance. Additionally, dust and other airborne particles will become stuck to the honeydew and make it appear discolored.

Additional Information

For more information on the Cottony Maple Scale please visit the following websites:

Morton Arboretum Cottony Maple Scale

University of Illinois Extension: Home, Yard & Garden Pest

Tar Spots

 

 

 

 

What is tar spot? Tar spot is a common, visually distinctive and primarily cosmetic fungal leaf spot disease. The Initial symptoms of tar spot are small yellowish spots that form on infected leaves. These spots may remain relatively small, or may enlarge over the growing season to roughly 3⁄4 inch in diameter. As tar spot progresses, the center of the infected area becomes raised and turns black. For more information click on the link: http://fyi.uwex.edu/hort/files/2014/11/Tar-Spot.pdf 

 Galls                                                                                                                                                         

Galls are abnormal growths on plants that can result from the feeding of living organisms such as bacteria, fungi, nematodes, insects and mites. For more information click the link: http://fyi.uwex.edu/hort/files/2014/11/Deciduous-Tree-Galls.pdf    

Anthracnose

Anthracnose is very common on many types of trees and shrubs. It often occurs on the leaves of ash and maple trees, causing blotchy-brown dead areas. For more information click the link: http://fyi.uwex.edu/hort/files/2014/11/Anthracnose.pdf

Chlorosis

Chlorosis affects the leaves and  turns them yellow, except for the veins, which remain green. In severe cases, turn brown and die. Symptoms can occur on isolated branches, or over an entire tree. For more information click on the link below:  http://fyi.uwex.edu/hort/files/2014/11/Chlorosis_0.pdf

 Verticillium

 

Verticillium is a disease that shows symptoms on individual branches that suddenly wilt and die. Affected branches may occur on one side of the tree or may be scattered throughout the tree.
For more information click on the link:  http://fyi.uwex.edu/hort/files/2015/07/Verticillium_Wilt_of_Trees_and_Shrubs.pdf

Lecanium  

Lecanium are soft scales that are copious honeydew producers and their sticky excrement commonly coats automobiles, sidewalks, and park benches located under the branches of infested trees. For more information click on the link: http://entomology.osu.edu/bugdoc/Shetlar/factsheet/ornamental/Lecaniumscales.PDF