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Village staff recommends using St. Aubin for final spring planting despite nursery’s closure
Summary
Village staff recommended proceeding with St. Aubin for the spring 2026 planting program even though the nursery will soon close and not provide warranties; staff cited cost comparisons and an estimated ~10% failure rate for newly planted trees.
Village staff told the Westchester Village Board that it recommends using St. Aubin for the 2026 spring tree-planting program despite the nursery’s announced closure and its inability to offer post-planting warranties. The presenter said St. Aubin remained the most cost-effective option after comparing prices with six other nurseries and the suburban tree consortium.
“Saint Aubin is going to be closing,” the presenter said, adding that even without warranties the overall cost — including anticipated replacements for failed trees — would be lower than switching suppliers. Staff noted that in 2025 the village planted more than 200 trees through the spring and fall programs at a total cost of about $74,000 through St. Aubin, compared with just over $90,000 using the consortium’s pricing.
Staff estimated the village would plant about 100 trees in spring 2026 and cited a historical failure rate of roughly 10 percent, meaning about 10 replacements could be expected. Trustees asked whether replacements would be covered; the presenter confirmed the village would cover about 10 replacement trees if needed.
Trustees and other speakers also credited Public Works’ use of Gator bags and other post-planting measures for lowering failure rates, and said the village fills the bags to improve early survival. One trustee said St. Aubin’s prices have consistently been lower and said they were “sad that they’re closing.”
The discussion was advisory; the board sought direction to proceed with St. Aubin for the spring program. No formal vote or ordinance was recorded on the record at this meeting.
