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Romeoville unveils six‑year tree program: remove 116 low‑quality trees, plant 470 with grant support
Summary
Staff told trustees the village will remove about 116 invasive or damaged trees and begin a six‑year planting program to add roughly 470 replacement trees this year, supported by an approximate $225,000 grant and an estimated $350 per‑tree price; contract awards for removal and planting were included in the consent agenda.
Romeoville staff outlined a multi‑year urban-forest plan at the Sept. 3 board meeting that begins with removing about 116 low-quality or invasive trees and planting a larger number of new, appropriately spaced native trees through a six‑year contract.
Public works staff told the board they identified Bradford pears and ash trees (many affected by emerald ash borer) as priorities for removal and said staff aims to replace removed trees with native species to improve long-term canopy health. "This is a multi-year plan to make sure that we're being good stewards of our urban tree environment," staff said in explaining the program.
The board accepted a contract for tree removal services with Homer Tree Care and awarded a separate growing/supplying/planting contract to a local nursery (Fields/King Farm Inc.). Staff said they received one bid for the planting program and that the first-year plan targets 470 trees; they cited an available grant of about $225,000 and an estimated price of $350 per tree, while noting the program is budget dependent.
Trustees asked for clarification that the aim is not wholesale removal but selective replacement; one trustee summarized the approach as removing poor-quality specimens and planting roughly three times as many appropriate new trees in their place. Staff said more outreach and on-the-ground spacing adjustments will follow as crews implement the program.
The planting and removal contracts were part of the consent agenda the board approved by roll call; staff said details and timing will be coordinated with the village's budget and public outreach plans.
