Tree Maintenance & Care

On March 5, 2020, the Village Applied to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the Arbor Day Foundation to be recognized as a Tree City. On March 13, 2020, the application was approved by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and passed on to the Arbor Day Foundation for their review. On April 1, 2020, word was received that the Arbor Day Foundation had approved South Barrington as a 2019 Tree City USA! The Tree City flag will be flying on the flagpole in front of the Village Hall for all to see. The recognition also comes with a plaque that is proudly displayed in the Village Hall.

How does a community become a Tree City? To become a certified Tree City a community must meet four standards within a calendar year:

• Have a Tree Committee: South Barrington’s Tree Advisory Committee is made up of Mayor Paula McCombie, Diane Bodkin, Gary Keclik and serving as Village Arborist, John Kelly.
• Have a tree care ordinance in place: Actually, the Village has had a number of ordinances on the books that pertain to the care of trees in the Village – and has had them for years!
• Devote a minimum of $2 per capita on tree care and have an annual urban forestry plan: South Barrington easily meets this standard, and again, has for years! With care for the Ash Trees in the Village along the parkways, tree trimming, dead tree removal and new tree planting – the Village easily beats this mark.
• Have an Arbor Day Celebration and proclamation each year: This year, the Village will celebrate Arbor Day at the South Barrington Conservancy on Saturday, October 10, 2020 at 10:00 a.m.

Tree City USA had been greening up cities and towns across America since 1976. It is a nationwide movement that provides that provides the framework necessary for communities to manage and expand their public trees. Over 3,400 communities have made the commitment to becoming a Tree City. Make that 3,401 now with South Barrington joining the ranks.

Trees in the Village right of way are the property of the Village.  To remove and replace trees in the right of way requires a permit from the Village.  Below is the application form and the list of approved tree species.  Please call the Administrator Michael Dropka at 847-381-7510 for more information.

The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) was discovered in southeastern Michigan near Detroit in 2002. The EAB probably arrived to the United States on solid wood packing material carried in cargo ships or airplanes originating in its native Asia. Adult beetles cause little damage, however the larvae feed on the inner bark of the ash trees and disrupt the tree’s ability to transport water and nutrients. As of 2019, EAB can be found in 35 states, and the Canadian provinces of Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Manitoba.

The EAB has been discovered in South Barrington and effects several areas of the Village. This is evident over the last year as it has killed a variety of ash trees in our community. A large number of trees have been replaced and planted in a short period of time within the Village. Unfortunately, the Village is unable to water all replacement plantings. Residents who have received replacement trees are encouraged to continue watering the plantings regularly to improve their chance of survival. Additional watering is essential in the first several years after a tree is transplanted.

More information on the Emerald Ash Borer can be found here.

A newly planted tree’s best friend is mulch. It is very important to remember to mulch your tree after you have planted it.

Mulch is important to your tree’s health because:

• Mulch insulates the soil helping to provide a buffer from heat and cold temperatures.
• Mulch retains water helping to keep the roots moist.
• Mulch keeps weeds out to help prevent root competition.
• Mulch prevents soil compaction.
• Mulch reduces lawn mower damage.

ComEd has an extensive maintenance program in place to help keep lines clear for distribution and transmission rights of way, however there may be need for further assistance with tree trimming near services wires or between poles on or near your property. Large trees and branches can cause extended power outages when they come in contact with overheard power lines. ComEd does not perform non-emergency tree trimming for wires running directly to customers’ meters (the service wire). If you hire a contractor, or plan to do any trimming on your own, ComEd will either drop or de-energize your services wire and will re-connect it once trimming is complete.

Your home will be without power until your service live is re-connect. There is no charge for this service. Please call 1-800-EDISON-1 (1-800-334-7661) and a ComEd representative will contact you as soon as possible to schedule the date and time of the service wire drop.