Parkway Services

Parkway services encompasses a wide range of activities which include tree trimming, tree surgery and removals; reforestation; landscaping and weed cutting services; distribution of landscape waste biodegradable paper bags; support services for Earth Day activities; and administering the "Adopt-A-Highway" program.

Tree Trimming

Tree trimming is performed to maintain shape, remove dead or diseased limbs, and remove potential hazards to pedestrians, cyclists and vehicular traffic. 1998 marked the first year the Village began contractual tree trimming. All parkway/village owned trees are scheduled to be trimmed on a 6-7 year cycle.

Parkway trees are the property of the Village of Northbrook and should not be trimmed and/or removed without written permission from the Director of Public Works or his designee. Please contact Mr. Lovas, Forestry Supervisor, with any questions or requests.

Reforestation Program

In Northbrook's February Newsletter, the Village's annual cost sharing reforestation program is advertised, offering cost subsidized trees for planting on public parkways fronting existing residences and/or businesses. This is done to promote diversity of tree species, with a special emphasis on oak trees.

Dutch Elm Disease - Tree Lots (Public and Private)

The deadly fungi, known as Ceratocystis ulmi, continues to doom most trees it infects. To date, no cure has been developed although several systemic treatments have been somewhat successful. The disease is transmitted by the bark beetle as well as through root grafts. The immediate removal of infected trees has been a proven control measure to slow the spread of the disease. During the growing season, the Village surveys the community for infected Elm trees. Trees on public property are removed as soon as practical. Property owners with confirmed infected trees are notified by certified letter to make arrangements for removal within ten days.

Awards

Tree City U.S.A. 1994 through 2005

American Public Works Association, Award for Excellence in Journalism, "GEMS of Northbrook", 2001

Illinois Society of Arboriculture, James Reynolds, Special Recognition, Tree Preservation Ordinance, 2001

American Public Works Association, James Reynolds awarded " Top Ten Public Works Leaders of the Year for 2002"

Storm Damage Pickup

The Village, if necessary, assists its residents in the removal of limbs and trees damaged by area-wide severe wind and/or wet snow storms. Always contact Public Works at (847)272-4711 to see if this special service is being offered as most storms and routine landscape maintenance DO NOT qualify for this special service. If this special service is offered, the residents are required to stack the limbs and logs at the curb and notify Public Works for Village pickup.

Landscape Waste Disposal

The Village of Northbrook does not allow residents to rake leaves into the street. In accordance with state law and local Ordinance 90-26, all leaves, grass clippings and landscape waste must be deposited into biodegradable paper bags or metal or plastic garbage containers not exceeding 32 gallon capacity. The local refuse contractor operating in this community, Veolia, picks up bags or containers with appropriate stickers in accordance with a published schedule. Do not put landscape waste in plastic bags.

Please make sure that leaves/grass are not mixed with any other materials or garbage. Packages of double ply biodegradable bags are available at Ace Hardware, Sunset Foods, True Value Hardware, Ferraro's Garden Spot, Red's Garden Center and the Village Hall.

Depositing leaves in the street creates an unacceptable traffic hazard, presents an attractive nuisance to children and animals, and is a major factor in clogging storm drain facilities. Clogged inlets substantially increase the likelihood of neighborhood street flooding. With several thousand street inlet grates throughout the community, Public Works does not have sufficient staff to keep them free from being clogged with leaves during the autumn. Residents with leaf clogged storm sewer inlets in front of their homes are asked to kindly rake those leaves off and into a biodegradable bag for proper disposal.

Street Lighting

Repairs to the Village owned street lighting system are generated by requests for service from concerned residents and staff and/or from a police officer's job order stating that a particular street light is inoperative.