Fall 2024 Cost Share 

Cost Share reforestation planting has resumed. Ash trees are being replaced in the order that they were removed. In an effort to expedite reforestation, the village is continuing to offer a cost-share option to any resident that wishes to have their tree planted sooner than what is otherwise scheduled. If a resident desires to take advantage of this program, the resident shall pay a percentage of the replacement cost for an approximately 2-inch diameter tree, using WebPay or in person at the Atcher Municipal Center. Participants will receive a letter in the mail requesting their first and second selections when ordering trees to increase the chances that a tree of your choice will be available.

Please make a Customer Service Request or call 311 to request participation in the Fall 2024 Cost Share Program. You must receive a cost share letter to participate; one will be sent to you upon request.

Trees are grown at a nursery, specifically for the Village of Schaumburg. Pricing will be available on WebPay.

Ginkgo

Espresso Kentucky Coffeetree

Northern Catalpa

Red Maple

Swamp White Oak

Schaumburg Prunes Trees on Approximately a Five Year Cycle

All parkway trees are trimmed approximately every five years, depending on available funding and manpower. This helps eliminate the costly practice of trimming individual trees as they become hazardous.

Regular Pruning Helps Trees Grow large, Beautiful, and Safe

Pruning is one of the most important tree maintenance techniques. Trees that are not pruned are often more susceptible to disease. They often become hazardous as they mature, with low hanging dead or weak branches. Schaumburg's pruning crews trim parkway trees for maximum safety, health, and aesthetic value. Crews remove dead or rubbing branches to prevent the spread of decay and to reduce the risk of falling branches. Live branches may also be removed to allow more light into the center of the tree, to improve its shape or branch structure, or to permit wind to pass freely through the tree without breaking limbs.

Low Branches are Removed for Safety Reasons

Since they are so close to streets and sidewalks, parkway trees must be "raised" to a height that allows safe passage for pedestrians, bike riders, service and emergency vehicles, etc. This aspect of trimming usually causes residents the most concern, because in some cases, the change of the tree's appearance is quite dramatic immediately after trimming. Residents are pleasantly surprised to find that trees generally grow substantially the year after trimming.

Trimming Young Trees Promotes Sturdy Branch Structure

A young tree with branches not yet extended over the street or sidewalk area often must have the lower branches removed to prevent a future hazard. Removal of such branches should be done when the tree is young, because the wound created will be much smaller and heal quickly.

Call Engineering and Public Works with Questions

Residents who have further questions or special concerns about a particular tree, should call Engineering and Public Works by dialing 311 in Schaumburg or (847) 895-4500. The Village of Schaumburg hopes you will be pleased with the long-term benefits of the tree trimming program.

Watch the video for more information on the difference between epicormic growths and suckers, and how to properly remove them.

About the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB)

Discovered in 2002 in Michigan, the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) probably arrived in the United States on solid wood packing material carried in cargo ships or airplanes originating in its native Asia. In the larvae stage, EABs feed on the inner bark of ash trees, disrupting the tree's ability to transport water and nutrients.

The canopy of infested trees thin above the infested portions of the trunk and major branches because the borer destroys the water and nutrient conducting tissues under the bark. An infested ash tree will usually die after a few years of noticeable decline. In fact, in less than 10 years, the EAB has killed millions of ash trees throughout the Midwest. Through research efforts by major universities and experience in heavily infested communities, much has been learned about the Emerald Ash Borer since 2002.

Reforestation Plan

The reforestation planting schedule is designed to replace trees in the order that they were removed; trees removed early in the EAB Management Program will be replaced first. In an effort to expedite reforestation, the Village is continuing to offer cost share to any resident that desires to have their tree planted sooner than what is otherwise scheduled.

Please keep in mind that the tree supply in northern Illinois is very low and some species may not be available in the sizes or quantities needed for the cost share program. Also, we ask that you provide a 1st selection and 2nd selection when ordering trees through the cost share program to increase the chances that a tree of your choice will be available. In addition, it may be necessary to move your tree to the next planting season due to availability. If this occurs, you will be notified by the Village Forester.

Interactive Map - Look Up Your Address

The Tree Inventory Map provides residents with information on village owned trees. Residents can see the species and diameter for parkway trees, as well as the proposed replacement schedule for parkway trees that have been removed.

Dead or Infested Tree Removal

The highest priority is to remove hazardous or potentially hazardous trees from the urban forest. Dead trees will be scheduled according to the order in which they are found, with the most hazardous trees receiving priority and being removed at the earliest possible time. Trees which have a 50% canopy loss will also be scheduled for removal. Due to budget constraints and the enormous task of removing the massive number of predicted dead trees, it may be necessary to defer removals for several months. Privately owned dead trees will need to be removed by the resident.

Ash Trees on Private Property

Village inspectors will make every effort to notify private property owners, including single family homeowners, if there is an ash tree on their property. If you have an ash tree on your property, you will need to plan for its treatment, or in some cases its removal. Once an ash tree is declining the tree should be removed. When hiring a tree removal contractor, it is recommended that you obtain several quotes to ensure that you get the best price. Contractors should be bonded and insured and have a Schaumburg contractor’s license. Please call 311 with any questions about ash trees on your property.

Slowing the Spread of Emerald Ash Borer

Insecticide treatments are being used by the village to slow the spread of EAB and to save high value ash parkway trees in Schaumburg. Slowing the spread of Emerald Ash Borer to control the mortality rate of parkway ash trees is a very important management tool. Schaumburg is using an insecticide to control the spread of Emerald Ash Borer. The insecticide is injected into the soil at various locations around the base of the tree annually in spring or fall. For larger trees, the insecticide is injected directly into the tree. Managing the Emerald Ash Borer does not mean total elimination of all ash species.

Saving a percentage of parkway ash trees preserves tree value and canopy, as well as all of the other benefits that trees provide the community. The number of trees saved will depend on funding and the health of the trees. Due to the unpredictable nature of the impact on any specific tree, removal may be necessary if treatment is not effective. In other cases, the tree may already be too infested to warrant treatment.

Additional Resources

Illinois Department of Agriculture: Detailed information on EAB, Ash Trees, Firewood, and more...

EAB Map as it affects North America: Provided by the Illinois Department of Agriculture

Pictorial GALLERY OF EAB Provided by the Illinois Department of Agriculture

• Generally an inch of rainfall per week is adequate, but if there are extended dry periods, supplemental watering should be done.
• Remember that roots can extend out as far as the tree is tall.
• Tree watering bag holds 20 gallons of water.   
• The bag has small drip holes at the bottom in each corner which allow the water to slowly seep out.
• The bag should empty after 5 and 9 hours. The fill hole is located at the top of the bag.
• Please assist the village by filling the bag on a weekly basis, this simple effort will greatly minimize the chance of the tree dying, but also greatly increase root structure and growth.
• If a prolonged period of hot and dry weather is expected, the bags may have to be filled 2-3 times per week.
• All newly planted trees will receive a tree watering bag (gator bag) to help ensure survival. Trees planted in the fall season will receive the gator bag the following spring. Staff will be collecting the bags prior to the beginning of winter.
• If bag is not available simply leave the hose on a small trickle for a couple of hours to allow the water to penetrate the ground.
• It is imperative that the trees are watered thoroughly in times of serious drought.

• Mulching beneath the canopy of trees is important.
• The mulch helps to retain soil moisture as well as keep the ground from freezing. This allows more time for roots to grow.
• Mulch also reduces weeds from growing so mowers and weed whips do not harm from the trunk of the tree. Mulch layers should be 2”- 3” thick and should not be piled up against the trunk of the tree. Rather it should be at ground level right next to the trunk.
• Mulch piled against the trunk (volcano mulching) holds moisture and heat, which can create a point of entry for diseases.
• Wood chips are a natural and resourceful material to use as mulch.
• Mulching the area directly beneath the tree is one of the best things you can do for the health of your trees.

• It is not recommended to fertilize newly planted trees for the first 3 years following planting. If you chose to fertilize trees on your own please follow the label for more information, and consult with a professional for application rates and timing.
• Make sure if you decide to purchase a fertilizer please use a product designed for trees and shrubs
• Fertilizing not only replaces nutrients, but also helps improve a trees resistance to insect and disease damage (see product label for specific timing).Commonly used complete fertilizers for trees and shrubs have a ratio of 3:1:1.
• Fall is a good time to fertilize trees that are lacking nutrients. If fertilization isn’t completed in September, wait until November when the tree has gone into dormancy.
• Timing is critical for fall fertilization because it can promote a flush of new growth. The new growth will not be hardened off prior to freezing temperatures.
• Don’t worry, trees can also be fertilized in the spring if you miss the fall window.

• The trees will be structurally pruned to remove deadwood, broken and low limbs, and interfering growth during the village’s annual trimming cycle.
• Removing dead and broken limbs helps improve the health of the tree, as well as reduces overwintering insects and fungi.
• Residents can call and request their tree’s to be pruned.

• Raking and gathering debris that has collected beneath trees is a great place to start with your spring cleanup.
• Removing fallen twigs, leaf litter, and fruit is especially important for trees that are susceptible to fungal diseases. A good example would be Norway Maple leaves that had black leaf spots last season.
• After your cleanup is done, you can move on to doing a visual inspect of your trees. Look for any damage that has occurred over winter, split limbs, broken branches, and deadwood. Now would be a great time to repair that damage, and prune deadwood.
• Village staff should be contacted when taking care of your parkway trees.

• Newly planted trees have a 1-year warranty.
• If the tree dies within the warranty period, it will be replaced at no cost to the homeowner or the village.