Buffalo Grove Removes More Ash Trees Than Expected

Buffalo Grove’s ash tree infestation has spread faster than officials expected, resulting in additional trees being removed this year.

The village had planned to remove 1,000 trees from village-owned property in 2013. To date, 1,216 have been cut down, said Tom Milas, the village’s emerald ash borer project manager.

“Trees were just dying right before our eyes,” Milas said.

He said the 2012 drought, followed by a dry summer this year, accelerated the “death curve” of the village’s ash trees. 

For instance, 19 trees were slated for removal on White Hall Drive. As removal began, 13 additional infested trees on that street were added to the list.

In the Cook County portion of the village, a total of 200 trees were listed for removal this year. One hundred additional ones were taken down. 

The village removed 753 ash trees between 2009, when the emerald ash borer was confirmed in Buffalo Grove, and 2012.

About 4,800 more ash trees will be taken down over the next two years. The 2014 schedule includes additional trees in Cook County as well as infested trees in the “old Lake County” portion of the village near Checker and Old Checker roads and other trees in the worst condition, Milas said.

After the trees are cut down, stumps are being ground and sod is put down. The village’s goal is for replacement trees of various species to be planted within a year, Village Manager Dane Bragg said.

The village has produced an informational video about the emerald ash borer infestation. It will be posted on the village’s website, officials said.