St. Charles' 50/50 Parkway Tree Program is Back

is offering residents a cost-sharing opportunity for planting trees in parkways through its The City once is again offering to share in the cost of planting trees in parkways with the 50/50 Parkway Tree Planting Program.

According to the city’s August edition of The Den, the city’s tree consultant will do all the work — planing the tree, mulching it and providing a gator bag to help in irrigating the new tree. The gator bags remain the property of the city.

The trees will be planted in late October and early November or in early April and May, The Den reports. The trees, which are delivered with a rootball covered in burlap, have an average diameter of 2.5 inches. According to The Den, species may vary upon availability and each area’s diversification needs. Participating residents also will receive a door hanger with the tree outlining care instructions.

According to the city, each tree has a one-year warranty, and if it dies or looks unhealthy, residents are asked to call 630-377-4405.

The varieties of trees outlined in The Den include:

Japanese lilac: $165. These are considered good under power lines, with a mature height of 20 to 30 feet and a mature width of 15 to 20 feet. The tree is described as having vigorous growth, blooms mid-summer with white flowers.

Prairie fire crabapple $115. These are considered good under power lines, with a mature height of 20 feet. Leaves are deep red-purple, mature to dark green, bright orange fall foliage, and attract songbirds.

Red jewel crabapple $115. These are considered good under power lines, with a mature height of 15 feet and width of 12 feet. They have pink buds that open to pure white blooms in early May, strong medium green leaves that turn a slight burgundy bronze in the fall, lively and half-inch bright red “jewel” fruits that last all winter.

Accolade elm $165. Reaching a mature height of 75 feet, this tree is known for vigorous growth, excellent drought tolerance and good strong yellow fall color. It has excellent disease resistance to both elm yellows and Dutch elm disease.

Crescendo maple $165. This tree reaches a height of 65 feet and features green foliage with a yellow cast in summer, yellow with a red margin in the fall.

London planetree $165. This tree reaches a mature height of 60 feet and a mature width of 40 to 50 feet. Considered an excellent shade tree, it has large, lustrous, green foliage in summer and yellow fall color and is considered a wonderful park or street tree.

Redmond linden $165. This tree reaches a height of 40 feet and a mature width of 35 feet. It has light green leaves with a showy yellow fall color.

State Street maple $165. With a mature height of 60 feet and mature 50-foot spread at its base, this tree is known for excellent branching character, clean foliage and good yellow fall color. The Den reports it has superior heat/drought tolerance.

Order forms may be downloaded at www.stcharlesil.gov. Mail or deliver the order form along with a check or money order payable to the . Order forms and checks should be sent to the Utility Billing Office, 2 E. Main St., St. Charles, IL 60174. Orders will be accepted until 4:30 p.m. Sept. 30.

For more information or to ask questions, call the Public Works Department at 630-377-4405.