Woodridge Named  Tree City U.S.A. !

The National Arbor Day Foundation, in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters and the U.S.D.A Forest Service, has designated  Woodridge a 2009 Tree City U.S.A. recipient.  The Village's  comprehensive forestry program, dedicated Public Works' crews, and supportive residents have secured this distinction for Woodridge for the past 19 years.  This award honors communities that have proven their commitment to an effective and ongoing forestry program and have met certain criteria set by the Arbor Day Foundation. "Trees in our cities and towns help clean the air, conserve soil and water, moderate temperature and bring nature into our daily lives,"  says John Rosenow of the Foundation. Woodridge  is dedicated to the protection, health and replenishing of its abundance of beautiful trees. 

Forestry

The Public Works Department is responsible for Forestry, and employs six certified Arborists. This division plants trees in parkways and landscapes medians throughout town. Through their hard work and dedication, Woodridge has been the proud recipient of the Tree City USA award for every year since 1992.

Tree Share Program

Since 1992, Woodridge has assisted residents in beautifying their yards and ultimately the Village through the Tree Share Program.  Taking advantage of a 50/50 shared cost with the Village, residents can purchase a tree for their parkway.  The Village then takes responsibility for the planting and maintenance of the tree.

A different variety of trees is offered with each Tree Share depending on the time of year planting will take place and nursery availability.  Trees are selected not only for their visual desirability, but also for their resistance to disease and their adaptability to climate and urban stress factors such as soil conditions, poor drainage and road salt. 

A Village Arborist will determine if a parkway can accommodate a tree and will assist a resident with choosing the species and best placement.  Guidelines on how to care for the new tree will be provided to each participating resident.  For more information on the Tree Share Program, please contact Public Works at (630) 719-4753.

Brush Chipping
The Public Works Department and the Park District operate a site on 71st Street just west of Woodridge Drive where residents may drop off their brush. The site is open from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on the second Saturday of each month from May through October. The price is $5 for the first carload ($3 for same day returning car) and $10 per pickup truck, van or trailer. Branches up to 5" in diameter are accepted. Proof of residency is required. Chips generated by this program are made available to residents free of charge at the Woodridge Dr. site throughout the growing season. 

GYPSY MOTH THREAT TO ILLINOIS

Gypsy Moths are one of the most destructive forest and landscape pests in the United States.   While oak trees are the most vulnerable, these moths feed on up to 500 other species of trees and shrubs.  The Gypsy Moths are most destructive in May and June when the caterpillars feed on leaves.  Trees throughout entire neighborhoods can be stripped of their leaves in a matter of a few months and surviving trees are left weakened and susceptible to other pests and diseases.

The Illinois Department of Agriculture and the Village of Woodridge and Woodridge Park District have previously complete gypsy moth spraying in various areas of the community to try and slow the spread of the gypsy moth.  The Illinois Department of Agriculture has advised that this year’s higher than normal amounts of precipitation has resulted in elevated levels of a naturally occurring bacteria which is poisonous to the gypsy moth, thus killing them off. 

 Residents should be on the lookout for gypsy moth caterpillars which have distinctive markings consisting of five pairs of blue dots followed by six pairs of red dots down the length of its back. 

 Because of the weight of their eggs female gypsy moths cannot fly.  They typically lay eggs on objects near the trees where they’re feeding, including picnic tables, campers, and grills. When these items are moved, the moth eggs “hitchhike” along. For this reason, it’s extremely important to check all vehicles and equipment after camping in infested areas.  Refraining from transporting firewood from outside the local area is also key in stopping the spread of the gypsy moth and other destructive pests like the emerald ash borer, and the Asian long horned beetle.

For more information on on the Gypsy Moth, recognizing infected trees and stopping the spread of this devastating pest, please pick up a copy of the "Gypsy Moth in Illinois" in the Public Works Lobby at 1 Plaza Drive.   If active gypsy moth infestation is suspected, or if dead gypsy moth caterpillars are found, residents should contact the Public Works Department at 630-719-4753 or the Illinois Department of Agriculture's Gypsy Moth Hotline at 866-296-6684.

Gypsy Moths are rapidly encroaching our area.  The best way to stop their spread is to be careful not to transport them into into our neighborhoods.  Be careful not to use firewood from outside our local area or to bring in vegetation from areas which may have Gypsy Moth infestation.   You may also call the Illinois Department of Agriculture's Gypsy Moth Hotline at 866-296-6684 with any questions or for further information. 

Proper Tree Mulching

Placing mulch around trees helps keep them healthy while reducing landscape maintenance.  Mulch has a variety of benefits which include; conserving moisture, reducing water run-off and soil erosion, helping maintain a uniform soil temperature with season changes, providing a physical barrier that reduces damage from yard equipment and discouraging weed growth.  Mulch rings also decrease competition from grass which robs trees of valuable nutrients and moisture.

Mulch can be applied any time of year, but one of the best is late spring after the soil has warmed up enough to allow for sufficient root growth.   Though bark mulches and wood chips are two of the most commonly used mulches, many organic materials can be used.  Mulch should be applied at a uniform depth of 2" - 4" over weed-free soil.  Care should be taken so none of the mulch is against the tree trunk.  Putting mulch against the tree can cause the bark to rot allowing disease to be introduced into the tree.  Allow a 1" - 2" wide mulch-free area at the base of the tree to protect it.  When correctly done, the mulch will look like a "donut" around the tree. 

Additional information on tree care is available through the web sites for the Morton Arboretum at http://www.mortonarb.org and the International Society of Arboriculture at http://www.isa-arbor.com/home.aspx.