Western Springs' Removal Of Keebler Tree Draws Interest

WESTERN SPRINGS, IL — The planned removal of the Keebler-looking tree in Western Springs, which Patch wrote about last week, apparently has plenty of people concerned. In a Facebook post late Monday afternoon, the village acknowledged it had received "numerous" inquiries about the northern catalpa tree at Prospect Avenue and Reid Street.

An open house has been planned for 5 to 7 p.m. Aug. 5 at the site of the tree, so residents can meet with village staff and provide feedback on the potential replacement of the tree.

Last week, Cathy Blanford, who lives on the corner where the tree is, alerted Patch to the planned removal as part of a road construction project. She said she had just learned about it a few days before. It's long been called the Keebler tree because of its similarity to the cookie brand.

"It feels like everyone in town knows about this tree. People take pictures of it," she said.

But the village said it has its reasons for taking down the tree.

When the village recently conducted an inventory of its trees, the Keebler tree was rated a 5 out of 6, with 6 being a dead tree, said Matt Supert, the village's director of municipal services.

"(M)uch of the sentiment regarding the tree is a result of its unique shape," Supert said in an email to Patch last week. "Unfortunately, the unique shape of the tree at this location is the result of the poor planting location and years of improper pruning, mostly by ComEd to ensure the tree didn't impact overhead wires. The tree's condition is stunted, with poor growth and shape."

He noted the tree is inches from the curb, which will be replaced as part of the project. The reconstruction, he said, requires adjustments of the street and curb. The process would be detrimental to any tree, even one in good condition that close to the curb, he said.