At its Jan. 16 meeting, the Lake Zurich Village Board approved the final leg of replacing public trees after emerald ash borers destroyed thousands of trees years ago.
The project has taken years, but it’s wrapping up two years early, according to officials.
More Top Picks Why Comic Sans Is Recommended For Dyslexic Readers
Trustee Marc Spacone introduced the measure, which provides $100,000 for tree replacements along village parkways.
“After a competitive bid process on Feb. 16, 2021, the Village Board awarded a three-year contract to St. Aubin Nursery of Kirkland, Illinois for multiple planting seasons,” Spacone said. “This parkway tree replacement program will be completed in 2023, two years earlier than originally planned.”
He said 2023 plantings will include the neighborhoods of Chestnut Corners, Hunters Creek and Millers Grove.
The board approved the measure without objection. Trustee Dan Bobroski was absent.
Mary Kozub, the vice president of the village’s Tree Commission, was also present at the meeting and she praised the village’s dedication to replacing the felled trees. She said the commission met two weeks ago and supported the effort.
“It was really important to us that the village and staff stepped up to finish this ash tree replacement plan,” Kozub said.
She said the Tree Commission officially commends the board of trustees.
Thousands of trees were removed due to the infestation, and now only some 440 trees are left to be replaced, officials explained.
Public Works Director Mike Brown explained the replacement has been a long, arduous – and expensive — process.
“This was a 12-year project, I believe, (replacing) 3,300 trees and it was a long time coming,” he said.
Mayor Tom Poynton noted that the whole endeavor has not always been popular, especially considering the long time frame. The beetle infestation meant thousands of trees had to get ripped out. But, replacing them has taken years, to the chagrin of some residents.
“It was a testy program because the trees had to come down all at once but nobody could afford to replace them all at once,” Poynton said.
Brown said he expected replacement to be wrapped up by spring.
Jesse Wright is a freelancer.