Forestry Information

About

The Village of Bolingbrook has over 40,000 trees planted in parkways and medians. It is vital that the Village of Bolingbrook its arborists and foresters on staff continually inspect these trees for disease, pests, and damage to maintain a healthy urban forest. These trees as well as the trees in our green spaces and along our waterways, help clean the air, provide oxygen, and help prevent erosion.

Private Property Trees

The Village of Bolingbrook does not maintain trees on private property. A tree removal permit is needed to remove a tree on private property. A Village forester will inspect the permit and the tree(s) to be removed. No permit is needed to trim trees on private property.

Request a Tree Removal Permit Here.

Tree Pruning

Pruning is a necessary part of maintaining a healthy tree. Proper pruning will enhance the health and vigor a tree by removing dead and diseased limbs, overcrowded and crossing limbs, increasing airflow to minimize the risk of infection as well as increasing the overall appearance of the tree. The Forestry Department conducts seasonal block tree trimming. The Village continually inspects to determine the area’s most in need of trimming, with work typically beginning in early winter and lasting through spring. In addition to block tree trimming, the Village of Bolingbrook has certified arborists on staff to respond to year long trimming requests due to storms, emergencies, line of sight issues, and overall appearance.

Tree Removal

Parkway trees are continually viewed year round for removal. Factors to determine if a tree will need to be removed include:

  • The tree is infested or diseased.
  • The tree is dead or declining.
  • The tree poses a safety risk to pedestrians, vehicles, or buildings.

If a tree is marked for removal, a Village crew or approved contractor will remove the tree(s) and grind the stump. The Village crew or approved contractor will remove the grindings from the stump and the parkway will be restored with soil and seed at a later date.

New Parkway Tree Plantings

When a tree is removed in most cases it will be replaced, however, a village forester will inspect the site to determine if the tree will be replaced. Factors to determine if a tree will be planted include:

  • Overall site conditions of the planting site.
  • Spacing between existing trees.
  • Distance from intersections, road signs, and utilities.

Newly planted trees are typically 2.5-3 inches in diameter, and vary in species. The Village strives to plant a variety of species and cultivars to lessen the impact of future disease and pest outbreaks.

Care Of Newly Planted Trees

Newly planted trees require adequate watering. Please water your tree once a week for the first year following planting, about 10 gallons at a time, which is equivalent to a slow trickle from a hose for about one hour. If we receive an inch of rain during that week, it will not be necessary to water. Trees can suffer from over-watering too, especially when using your sprinkler system. Trees and grass are healthier with weekly deep-watering rather than frequent watering. The Village or approved contractor will place mulch around the base of the newly planted trees. This mulch is beneficial in many ways; it helps to conserve moisture, it helps to reduce weed competition, and helps to prevent damage to the base of tree.

Pests and Diseases

Emerald Ash borer

Emerald ash borer is an exotic beetle that was discovered in southeastern Michigan near Detroit in the summer of 2002. The adult beetles nibble on ash foliage but cause little damage. The larvae feed on the inner bark of ash trees, disrupting the tree's ability to transport water and nutrients. The Village of Bolingbrook has removed over 9,300 Ash trees due to Emerald Ash Borer. The Village no longer treats Ash trees for EAB.

Asian Long horned beetle

The Asian long horned beetle is an invasive wood-boring insect native to China and Korea. It has infested and killed thousands of trees in New York City, northern New Jersey, Chicago, Massachusetts, Ohio and Toronto. The Asian long horned beetle kills a wide variety of hardwood trees, especially maples, elms, willows, and birches.

Japanese beetle

Adult Japanese beetles are 7/16-inch long metallic green beetles with copper-brown wing covers. Japanese beetles feed on about 300 species of plants, devouring leaves, flowers, and overripe or wounded fruit. They usually feed in groups, starting at the top of a plant and working downward. The beetles are most active on warm, sunny days, and prefer plants that are in direct sunlight. Adults feed on the upper surface of foliage, chewing out tissue between the leaf veins. This gives the leaf a lacelike or skeletonized appearance. Trees that are severely injured appear to have been scorched by fire. Japanese beetles may completely consume rose petals and leaves with delicate veins.