Morton Grove Village Arborist Dave Hoffman leads efforts to make sure trees keep growing on public properties and parkways across the community.
With the village recently receiving Tree City USA status from the Arbor Day Foundation for the 19th consecutive year, Hoffman answered some questions about the greenery that covers the community.
Q: What is the most common type of tree in the village and why?
A: Maple — from the planting that was done decades ago. People would gather saplings from the forest preserve or get them from their summer homes and bring them back here. They are a hardy tree, but now, because they are coming to the end of their life span, they are a majority of our removals. But there are still a lot of them.
Q: How many maple trees exist today?
A: I would guesstimate that in the parkways there are about 5,000.
Q: How many new trees were planted on parkways this year?
A: We’ve planted 203. There are no more planned for this year.
Q: How does that number compare to previous years?
A: This year was double the normal planting. Normally we go for 100, but if funds become available we will go for more. This year we had a private donor. The funds donated to the village were specifically for tree planting.
Q: What species of trees were planted this year?
A: Maple, elm, oak, London plane maple, lilac, crab apple and ginkgo. I usually choose about eight to 10 species per year.
Q: Why so much variety?
A: Due to power lines we will have a couple of specific trees that maintain a maximum height so they don’t have to get butchered up by the power company. Also, should something come through like emerald ash borer or Dutch elm disease, it won’t destroy 25% of our trees if we have a variety. Over the years, we’ve added about 30 different species in the parkways.
Q: How many trees were lost in Morton Grove to emerald ash borer?
A: About 1,400 trees. We were proactive. As soon as we discovered the bug (in 2006), we knew the trees were not going to survive and we started getting rid of the ones that showed signs of the ash borer. By being proactive like that, we were able to get new trees in the ground. We have a 14-year-old established tree in places that lost trees. We still have a few ash trees left that will probably still come down (in the future).
Q: Is emerald ash borer still a problem in the area?
A: It’s come and gone. Its damage was done. We’re probably down to 50 ash trees left on parkways.
Q: Do residents need village approval to remove a tree on private property?
Q: Not as of yet.
Q: What are some early signs that a tree might be dying?
A: Once the trees are all leafed out for the year, dieback in the crown is the easiest way to notice something is going on. Dieback in the crown is bare twigs at the top of the tree. That is a common sign that the juices aren’t flowing up to the top anymore, either due to decay, insects or disease.
Q: What is the oldest tree in Morton Grove?
A: It’s a red oak. It’s over 150 years old and it’s Smithwood Drive.
Q: What are the benefits of having a lot of trees in a community?
A: Water absorption. They take up so much rain water that doesn’t end up in sewers or in the river and they prevent flooding. They prevent land erosion, they control pollution and provide cooler temperatures. Property values also increase.
Q: What is the annual budget for maintaining and planting trees in Morton Grove?
A: $140,000 for trimming, removal and planting. That includes maintenance equipment, but does not include payroll.
Q: What can residents do to care for parkway and private property trees?
A: Water. Water is critical. Trees need direct water from a hose.
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