Lake County Gazette

Tree pruning operations have commenced on the parkways of Lake Forest.

According to a City of Lake Forest press release, the city has recently devised an eight-year program aimed at addressing the maintenance needs of nearly 20,000 parkway trees. The act of pruning promotes healthy new growth and maturation by eliminating dead and competing branches.

The press release further clarifies that the approach to parkway pruning differs significantly from the methods employed by ComEd's trimming crews on public and private property. While ComEd's primary objective is to maintain a specific distance from power lines to reduce power outages, aesthetic considerations are usually not a priority. In contrast, city crews and contractors aim to preserve the tree's inherent characteristics through the removal of dead, dying, diseased, and interfering branches. They strive to maintain a 16-foot clearance over the road while balancing the tree canopy to ensure appropriate sidewalk clearance.

Lake Forest crews will prune trees in Zone 2 and part of Zone 7. | City of Lake Forest

The City of Lake Forest press release confirms that pruning operations have been initiated by City Forestry crews, city contractor Advanced Tree Care, and ComEd.