By Marney Simon | Enterprise Staff
Plans to replace more of the village’s dead and damaged parkway trees were approved this week by members of the village board.
On March 19, trustees approved a purchase of new trees, not to exceed $65,000.
“This is an ongoing program that has gone on for many years now,” Randall Jessen, Plainfield public improvements superintendent. “The forestry department has identified approximately 200 locations that are in need of tree replacements. This particular purchase is a little bit less than last year at the same time.”
The village has undertaken the task of replacing trees destroyed by the emerald ash borer over the past few years.
Public works crews removed more than 500 parkway trees and 1,100 stumps in 2017.
The village at one time had more 5,200 ash trees within the parkways throughout the community, but was forced to remove thousands of trees after they were destroyed by the pests.
In January, the village announced that they were within 700 to 800 trees of completing the replacement program.
The village has provided more than 4,200 new parkway trees during the past six years.
The village also approved a purchase back in October approximately 800 parkway trees at a cost of $200,000.
The replacement trees will be purchased from the Suburban Tree Consortium, which currently has 37 members. The consortium provides its members with a consistent supply of quality trees generally requested for municipal parkways at a cost-effective manner, by maintaining contracts with several nurseries in northern Illinois.
The board approved the purchase 5-1, with Trustee Cally Larson the sole no vote.