Gary Grasso
Mayor
Karen J. Thomas
Village Clerk
Steven S. Stricker
Village Administrator
 

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Public Works Department - Forestry & Grounds

  • Introduction
  • Aborist's Message
  • Pond Maintenance
  • Tree Maintenance & Programs
  • Brush Chipping
  • Emerald Ash Borer

Introduction

The Forestry & Grounds Division is responsible for all trees on Village owned properties which includes tree planting, trimming, removal and disease control.  This division also maintains approximately 42 acres of Village owned open space including turf management, sprinkler systems maintenance and pond aerator maintenance.  Other duties include maintenance of the landscaped Village Gateways and landscaping at the Village Hall.

Message from the Arborist

The forestry budget includes the planting of trees along the right of way and in public parks and municipal grounds of the Village. As your Village Arborist, I am excited about the opportunity to "green up" our Village and help maintain its suburban forest. Replacing hazardous or diseased trees that have died and planting trees in areas where there were not trees, can make a significant contribution to preserving our Village’s natural beauty. These trees will provide shade, wildlife habitat, clean air, reduce noise, prevent soil erosion and give us the peace of mind that only nature’s beauty can bring.

If you would like a tree planted in the right-of-way adjacent to your home, please call the Public Works Department at 630-323-4733. Your name and address will be placed on our planting list and trees will be planted in the order of requests. You will be notified before planting. At that time, I will be happy to consult with you about the location and species of tree to be planted. Soil type, overhead and underground utility lines, water drainage and exposure to road salt are some of the factors that must be considered when selecting a tree species. I will make every effort to provide the species you prefer, however the final decision must be made by myself, keeping in mind the site conditions.

Our goal is to provide a healthy tree canopy over the streets and pathways of our Village. We can only accomplish this with your cooperation and by planting the right tree in the right place. After your tree is planted, your help in keeping the tree watered is crucial to its survival. It is our hope that your new tree will improve the quality of life for you, your neighbors and all the residents of Burr Ridge.

Pond Maintenance

The Village of Burr Ridge maintains three ponds within the Village boundaries.  The ponds are located in Windsor Park and Lakeview/Deerpath.  There are three aerators at the Lakeview/Deerpath ponds and one at Windsor Pond which aerates the pond water helping to prevent algae from forming and making it more appealing to view.  Windsor Pond was dredged to a deeper depth and and native aquatic plants have been planted along the edges of the pond, providing a natural area around the pond.

Tree Maintenance      

The Village's Tree Code, which regulates planting, preservation and protection and removal of right-of-way trees, requires that a permit be obtained from the Village for any tree to be planted in the dedicated right-of-way. There is no cost for the permit. The Village's Certified Arborist ensures that the species selected is compatible to a street-side environment and is located where there will be no interference with traffic or utilities. The Arborist is available to address residents' concerns about diseased or dying trees and will be willing to assist in determining the cause of any tree problems.

Tree Programs

Parkway Tree Planting Program   

The Village plants parkway trees in the right-of-way throughout the Village in the spring and fall. Residents can request that the right-of-way in front of their home be placed on the list for trees to be planted by the Village.  Such requests will be honored in the order in which they are received, with the Arborist in consultation with the resident, determining the best location and species. If you would like a tree planted adjacent to your property, please call the Public Works Department at 630-323-4733. Your name and address will be placed on our planting list and trees will be planted in the order of requests. Please see Message from the Arborist for more information.

Resident Tree Program                                       

The Annual Resident Tree Program offers trees for residents to purchase. The trees are purchased through the Village and are delivered to the residents homes for a nominal delivery charge beginning in October each year. An order form will be mailed to residents in September with the newsletter and/or water bill.  The deadline to order will be announced at that time.  Orders submitted after this deadline will not be accepted and trees carry no guarantees

Tree Trimming

The parkway trees are the responsibility of the Village and are maintained by Forestry & Grounds and the Village Arborist, who will make decisions about their care. The Parkway Tree Pruning Program is on a seven year cycle beginning the early months of winter.  Trees larger than eight inches in diameter are trimmed by an outside contractor under the supervision of Village Arborist, Gary Gatlin.  Smaller trees are trimmed by Forestry Staff. 

Residents are reminded that the parkway trees are the responsibility of the Village and are maintained by Public Works and its Village Arborist, who will make decisions about their care.  Unfortunately, there are times when a branch or branches must be removed in a manner that leaves a parkway tree looking asymmetrical.  However, it should be remembered that the safety of vehicular traffic, pedestrians and property owners is the primary consideration when the Village trims parkway trees.  Trees must be trimmed with a minimum clearance of 16 feet above the street pavement as the trees reach maturity.  Dead or structurally unsound branches are also removed.

Woodchips

Woodchips can be picked up at the Public Works Garage when chips are available, usually after the Curbside Brush Chipping Program. Please call 630-323-4733 before picking up chips to assure woodchips are available.  Remember to bring a shovel and container to transport the woodchips home. 

Arbor Day

The Village celebrates Arbor Day at a Burr Ridge school by planting a tree with students' assistance.

Brush Chipping Program

To assist residents with their tree and landscaping maintenance, the Village of Burr Ridge is providing free resident curbside brush removal.  The Curbside Brush Chipping Program includes two weeks of chipping in both the spring and the fall. Residents with questions should call the Village Public Works Department at (630) 323-4733.

2010 Program Dates:

  • Spring
    • April 12 - North of 79th Street
    • April 19 - South of 79th Street
  • Fall
    • October 11 - North of 79th Street
    • October 18 - South of 79th Street

Program Requirements:

  • Branches must NOT be placed in the parkway until three weeks before the chipping program for your area begins.
  • Branches must be in the parkway by NO LATER THAN 7:00 AM on the first day of pickup for your area.
  • Brush chipping at each property is limited to 2 hours.  If chipping takes more than the time allotted, there will be an additional $50 per hour charge.  A branch pile 12,000 cubic feet in size (200 feet long, 12 feet wide and 5 feet high) can be chipped in 2 hours.
  • Branches removed by contractors will not be accepted.  The program is intended to assist residents who perform their own work.
  • Only branches will be accepted and they must not exceed 4" in diameter.
  • Branches must be stacked neatly on the parkway with all stems/butt ends toward the street.
  • Branches must not be tied with string, wire, etc., and must be free of staples, nails, or metal of any kind.

Emerald Ash Borer

Emerald Ash Borer infestation has been identified in Burr Ridge.  Emerald Ash borer beetles are small metallic green beetles which lay eggs in the bark of Ash trees.  After hatching, the larvae bore into the trunk of the tree, which disrupts the ability of the tree to convey nutrients and ultimately results in the death of the tree.  Click here to learn more about the signs of EAB infestation. EAB infestations have already resulted in the death of over 20 million Ash trees in the United States since being first identified in Michigan in 2002.  It is not believed that eradication of the beetle is possible; ultimately all Ash trees in the United States will be exposed.

For more information on the Emerald Ash Border, visit www.illinoiseab.com, www.agr.state.il.us/eab, or www.emeraldashborer.info.  Or, use the resources on this page to learn more about EAB treatment and research, treatment bids for residents, ash tree identification tools and a tree replacement guide.

Treatment Alternatives: 

The Village strongly encourages residents to initiate treatment for all Ash trees on and adjacent to their property.  Click here to view the Homeowner's Guide to EAB treatments.

Ash trees represent nearly 25% of the existing population of public trees, and are believed to represent a notable percentage of privately owned trees as well.  While eradication of the pest may not be possible, preliminary research indicates that preventative insecticidal treatments may protect a tree from future infestation.  Click here to view a monthly guide to Ash Tree management. Currently the Illinois Department of Agriculture has approved the use of Tree-AgeTM insecticidal injections (which must be applied by an arborist).  Also, several research agencies indicate that Bayer AdvancedTM Tree and Shrub Insect Control root drench treatment may be effective (which can be applied by a homeowner).  Finally, the Village has solicited guaranteed price proposals from local arborists, for your benefit if you prefer a contracted service.  Click here to view the treatment solicitation. The bidder information and an informational bulletin are below for your consideration.  Click here to view a bid summary. For more information contact the Village Forestry Division at (630) 323-4733. 

Company Name Phone Number
Injection
$/dia.-inch

Root Drench
$/dia.-inch
Autumn Tree Care (view bid) (847) 729-1963
$22.00
$5.00
B. Haney & Sons (view bid) (630) 495-1831
$30.00
$12.50
Emerald Tree Care, LLC (view bid) (248) 939-0225
$5.49
$3.74
GroundsKeeper Landscape Care, LLC (view bid) (708) 301-7441
$11.00
$8.50
Kramer Tree Specialists, Inc. (view bid) (630) 293-5444
$8.05
$2.50
Nels J. Johnson Tree Experts (view bid) (630) 654-1877
$13.00
$6.00
Smitty's Tree Service (view bid) (708) 385-2814
$5.50
No bid
The Care of Trees (view bid) (630) 545-0606
No bid
$5.00
Tree and Turf Professionals, Inc (view bid) (630) 759-7389
$8.25
$3.00
TruGreen Lawn Care (view bid) (708) 430-7020
$9.00
$4.50
Winkler's Tree Service (view bid) (630) 420-8919
$17.00
$7.00

Public Tree Preservation:

The Village of Burr Ridge is proud to have received the distinction as “Tree City, USA” for many consecutive years.  We recognize that the public and private trees which grace our community are a valuable asset to the Village as a whole, as well as each resident individually.  Therefore, the Village of Burr Ridge will be providing treatment for all public trees within 1 mile of the infestation area, and will be expanding the treatment zone ½ mile each year in order to provide treatment in advance of the spreading infestation.  Public trees are trees which are located within the right-of-way (generally 30 feet from the roadway centerline).

EAB Treatment Research:

Ash Tree Identification Tools

Replacement Tree Guide:

Correspondence & Presentations

Other Useful Publications