Make way for tree pruning

Residents are urged to move their cars from the streets when temporary no-parking signs go up to allow private contractors to prune parkway trees quickly and safely during the winter pruning cycle.

One third of the Village’s 18,000-plus parkway trees are scheduled to be pruned this winter. The focus will be trees located between Roosevelt Road and Madison Street.

However, some trees — mostly oaks and elms — north of Chicago Avenue not pruned last winter while the trees were dormant also will be included in the upcoming work.

Crews follow the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) guidelines for tree care to address three key issues — tree health, resident safety and protecting property from damage. Dead or dying limbs are removed, tree canopies raised to allow for safe vehicle and pedestrian traffic, and appropriate clearances created for adjacent structures and signs.

Younger trees also will be pruned to develop good structure and reduce problems as they mature.

While the pruning may initially appear excessive when no leaves are on the limbs, crews work to ensure that pruning is just right as foliage returns in the spring. With a program that aims to prune every tree on public property once every three years, plans must consider that parkway trees can grow up to two feet each year — or six feet between pruning cycles.

The Village’s pruning program has proven very successful in minimizing storm damage and reducing ongoing pruning requests. Residents are urged to call 708.358.5700 or email publicworks@oak-park.us with questions or concerns about the type or quality of work being performed by contractors.

More information on the care of the nearly 18,000 trees on public property is posted at www.oak-park.us/trees.