Residents asked to make way for winter tree pruning

Residents are urged to move their cars from the streets when temporary no-parking signs go up to allow private contractors to prune parkway trees quickly and safely.

This winter, one third of the Village’s 18,000-plus parkway trees will be pruned, with work scheduled for the area between the north side of Madison Street and the south side of Chicago Avenue, from Harlem Avenue to Austin Boulevard.

Crews follow the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) guidelines for tree care to address three key issues — tree health, resident safety and protecting property from damage. Dead or dying limbs are removed and tree canopies raised to allow for safe vehicle and pedestrian traffic, and create appropriate clearances for adjacent structures and signs.

While the pruning can seem excessive when no leaves are on the limbs, crews work to ensure that pruning is just right as foliage returns in the spring.

With a program that now aims to prune every tree on public property once every three years, plans must consider that parkway trees can grow up to two feet each year — or six feet between pruning cycles. The Village’s pruning program has proven very successful in minimizing storm damage and reducing ongoing pruning requests.

Residents are urged to call 708.358.5700 or email publicworks@oak-park.us with questions or concerns about the type or quality of work being performed by contractors. More information on the care of Oak Park’s urban forest is posted at www.oak-park.us/trees.