Village to Replace Trees Hazardous to Power Lines With Native Species

The Village of Glen Ellyn this spring will start replacing some of the taller trees along the Illinois Prairie Path with native shrubs and small trees between Prospect Avenue and Main Street, getting rid of trees that have been hazardous to power lines, according to a news release from the village.

The trees along the path that grow near ComEd power lines have traditionally been “topped” as part of a vegetation management program designed to provide reliable electric service by minimizing plant and tree-related outages, according to the release. While topping can help mitigate electric outages, the Village is also interested in developing a more sustainable vegetative plan for the Illinois Prairie Path to incorporate vegetation options that are more low maintenance.

Removing large species that are hazardous to power lines and replacing them with smaller trees and shrubs achieves a "buffer" that will not affect reliable electric service in the Village, according to the release.

“Native trees and shrubs like Serviceberry, Dogwood, Witchhazel, and Viburnum were included in the design because of their ecological value,” Tina Koral, a certified landscape designer and owner of Tina Koral Gardens said in a statement. “These species are native to our area, drought-tolerant, and attractive to birds, butterflies...and people. The trees and shrubs selected will never reach a size that will interfere with power lines.”

Koral, also a commissioner on Glen Ellyn’s Environmental Commission, provided the landscape design to the Village at no charge.

The reforestation project will extend into 2014, with completion anticipated next spring.  

For more information, contact Public Works at 630-469-6756.

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