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Thank you for visiting the Lake Forest Forestry Section. Located in the Municipal Services
Building, the Forestry section is open Monday through Friday from
6:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and can be reached at 847-810-3563.
The mission of the Forestry Section is to set the professional
standard for municipal forestry by maintaining the landscape aesthetics
of the community at a level exceeding all other municipalities in the
country. The Forestry Section is comprised of one forester, four
tree trimmers and two grounds maintenance personnel who oversee many programs that contribute to maintaining
the City's Tree City USA Certification, and also help in educating the
community through special programs such as Arbor Day and Earth Day.
| City
Forester |
Peter Gordon
Past President of the Illinois Arborist Association
Certified Arborist #0777
Certified Landscape Technician - Exterior (CLT-E)
Certified Ornamental Landscape Professional (COLP)Illinois Certified Nursery Professional (ICN Pro) |
| Assistant
City Forester |
Corey
Wierema
Certified Arborist #4384
Certified Landscape Technician - Exterior (CLT-E) |
| Tree
Trimmer |
Bryan
DeBaets
Certified Arborist #1438 |
Tree
Trimmer/
Dutch Elm Disease |
Jim Gunn
Certified Arborist #1028 |
| Grounds
Maintenance |
Dan
Kepple
Certified Arborist #0278 |
Following is useful information on common
insects and diseases
which can be found in Lake Forest, as well as a description
of tree care programs
undertaken by the Forestry Section as it cares for over
60,000 trees.
Insects and Diseases
Emerald Ash Borer
 As
has been reported in the news, the Emerald Ash Borer has
made an appearance in Wilmette, Evanston and Lily Lake,
Illinoi and last spring, in Lake Forest, as well. With an Ash tree population of nearly 11%, the
City is greatly concerned. It is important that residents be
aware of the following in order to avoid infestation in the
Lake Forest area.
The adult beetle is slender and usually 7.5 to 13.5 mm
long. Its body is brassy or golden green with darker
metallic emerald green wing covers. The top of the abdomen
under the wing covers is metallic coppery red. Pupation
begins in late April or May. Larvae feed in the soft wood,
producing galleries that eventually girdle and kill branches
and entire trees. The insect emerges from D-shaped exit
holes that are 3-4 mm in diameter.
Additional information on Emerald Ash Borer can be
viewed by clicking
here. 
(2.3Mb - 18 pages)
 If
you have ash trees on your property, it is important that
you inspect these trees
for signs of infestation. The easiest way to do this is to
look for "D" shaped exit holes on the tree. You may also
contact the City Forester Peter Gordon at 847-810-3563 or
gordonp@cityoflakeforest.com.
If you have traveled to Ohio, Michigan, or Indiana in the
last 10 years and have brought back firewood to Illinois,
there is a higher risk that trees on your property may be
infested.
Asian Long-Horned Beetle
 The Asian Long-Horned Beetle
bores 3/4 inch circular holes into healthy hardwood trees and eventually
kills them from the interior damage created. Nursery stock, logs,
green lumber, firewood, stumps, roots, branches, and debris of 1/2 inch
in diameter or more is subject to beetle infestation. Maples,
horse chestnuts, apples, poplars, cherries, willows and elms are the
beetle's favorite trees.
The Asian Long-Horned Beetle is not in Lake Forest, but please keep a
look-out for the beetle which is approximately 1 to 1 1/4 inches in
length and has a large black body with white spots, and a long black and
white antennae. If you think you have spotted an Asian Long-Horned
Beetle, call 1-800-641-3934.
Dutch Elm Disease
The monitoring of infectious disease and insects by The City's
Forestry Section takes place from the end of May through November. Dutch Elm Disease has claimed an estimated 40,000 trees, both public and
private in Lake Forest over the last 50 years, and The City has an ordinance which
mandates that any tree infected with Dutch Elm Disease must be
eradicated. It has been determined by local arboretums and botanic
gardens that sanitation and removal of infected trees helps to reduce
the spread of Dutch Elm Disease.
Fall Webworm
 Don’t
panic. That web you have been seeing on your trees is not
Gypsy Moth but Fall Webworm, which feeds on more than 100
species of fruit, shade, and ornamental trees and is
especially noticeable during late summer and fall. Larvae
feed inside the web stripping the leaves to the mid vein of
the leaf. Damage is usually not severe and seldom causes
total defoliation. Destroying the nests by pruning them out
or removing them by hand can be done to a limited extent.
There are pesticides that will control the caterpillars, but
they should only be used as a last resort.
Gypsy Moth
 Since 1981, the City has been
working to identify and control this insect. Gypsy moth egg masses
(present from July to May) are the life stage most often observed.
Homeowners can assist in controlling these insects by inspecting their
property for egg masses or caterpillars. The egg masses are about 1.5
inches long and covered with velvety, buff or yellow covered hairs from
the female moth. These masses contain 100 to 1,000 eggs. Egg masses are
generally found on tress, w ood piles, rock walls, and lawn
furniture or in other protected locations. The mature
caterpillars are approximately 2.5 inches long, brown, and
hairy with five pairs of blue spots and six pairs of red
spots along their backs. An area will undergo a gradual
population build up for a time before the population goes
through a phase of rapid release. This gives vigilant
communities time to assess local conditions and take
appropriate action.
Visit the USDA
Forest Service web site to learn more about the Gypsy
Moth.
Ladybugs/Lady Beetles
Ladybugs or Lady Beetles are among the most familiar
beetles. You may have noticed large numbers of them in your
house, around your windows or just flying around. People often think of Lady Beetles as having red with
black spots, but the many different species range in color
from gray and black to bright or pale orange. Sheer numbers
of Ladybugs sheltering in and around a house can be a
nuisance to a homeowner. In large numbers, they can produce
an odor and leave a discolored “spit” where they congregate.
Also, they can exude a yellow/orange colored substance from
around their joints.
Lady Beetles are a very beneficial group of insects. A
single Lady Beetle may consume as many as 5,000 aphids in
its lifetime. Depending on the species, lady beetles go
through at least one generation a year, with adults
hibernating under leaf litter, other debris or they may even
find their way into homes before winter. They appear to
prefer light, colored or sunny sides of buildings, windows
and fixtures during this time of year.
Lady Beetles can be aggressive and occasionally pinch
your skin with their mandibles (jaw-like part of an insect),
leaving a small mark. However annoying they may become,
they are still one of the most beneficial insects in our
landscapes. Some things you can do to cope with Ladybugs/Lady Beetles include:
- Fix any damaged screens, doors and windows to prevent
the insects from entering your home.
- Install insect screening over your attic/laundry exhaust.
- To remove them from walls and house exteriors, use a
broom to sweep them
into a container.
You should also be aware that there are no registered
pesticides currently available for the use against Lady
Beetles.
Mosquito Control
Mosquitoes spread encephalitis and heartworm. To reduce
this health concern and nuisance created by mosquitoes,
every year the Forestry Section treats over
6,000 catch basins, 14 miles of ditch, several wetlands, and
private residences with larvicide. Larviciding, which kills mosquito larvae,
has been found to be among the most effective tools to
reduce the mosquito population.
West Nile Virus
In 1999, the West Nile Virus (a virus spread by mosquitoes that
feed on infected birds and then bite humans) appeared in the United
States. Since 2001, a number of birds in Lake County, as
well as in Lake Forest, have tested positive for West Nile
Virus. However, we have seen a sharp decline in
positive test results over the past two years.
What can you do? If you should find a dead crow, blue jay or
hawk, report this sighting to the City (847-810-3563) or the Lake County
Health Department (847-360-6700). The City's Forestry Section monitors and treats areas where mosquitoes breed. Residents can assist by emptying vessels where water remains stagnant
-- gutters, birdbaths, tires, etc.
Visit the
Illinois Department of Public Health web site
to learn more about West Nile Virus and how you can help
control mosquitoes in your area and avoid contracting West
Nile Virus.
Tree Care Programs
Sidewalk Clearing
Although residents are required to maintain their plant
material around the City sidewalks, the City maintains
nearly seven miles of undeveloped sidewalk easements in
order to provide a safe environment for walkers and
bicyclists. If you notice a safety concern on or around any
City sidewalk, please call 847-810-3564.
Spring and Fall Tree Planting
Nearly 200 trees are planted every year on City parkways. The City tries to follow a master tree planting
program which insures a wide diversity of trees within the City.
The Forestry section offers a share cost program to residents,
which allows those residents that do not already have a parkway tree to split the cost 50/50 with the City. If you are interested in
participating in the share cost tree program, please call 847-810-3564.
Landscape Maintenance License
The Lake Forest City Council approved an ordinance requiring
that landscape maintenance and arborist firms obtain a
license in order to work within The City limits. The
ordinance was passed in order to protect the community and
create awareness of which companies are beautifying our
neighborhoods. Additionally, residents can be assured that
the firm they hire maintains appropriate insurance.
Tree Preservation
The Forestry Section and other City departments are
committed to preserving and promoting the aesthetics of our
community. The purpose of The City’s Tree Preservation Ordinance
is to preserve trees on both
public and private property and, in the event that tree
removal is necessary, to ensure that appropriate replacement
trees are planted. The
ordinance is also intended to:
·
minimize erosion and storm water runoff
·
provide buffers between neighboring properties
·
preserve historic streetscapes
·
minimize the visual and environmental impacts
of paved surfaces and buildings
·
ensure landscaping in conjunction with new
development and redevelopment in a manner that
preserves native vegetation
This ordinance is intended to
balance the property rights of individual property owners
with the overall health,
safety and welfare interests of the Community.
Preserving trees when utilities are present.
Excavation of soil by use of an air tool to inspect root
problems underground.
Prescribed Burns
Most prairie burns are conducted in late March, April,
or early May. Annual burns are recommended to improve
prairies infested with cool season grasses and other
invasive plants. Fire controls woody invasions in two
ways. First, fire stimulates prairie plants to form
vigorous prairie growth, which prevents establishment of
woody seedlings. Fire also kills the above-ground
parts of invading shrubs and trees such as Buckthorne and
Black Locust. Repeated fires are needed to keep
re-sprouting brush under control.
Tree Trimming & Removal
Every year approximately 9% (850) of the City's large
trees, and 14% (1,400) of the City's small trees are
trimmed. The goal of the tree trimming is to promote tree
health and longevity. Healthy trees reduce the number of
trees that need to be removed and replaced, which also
reduces the section's expenditures. However, Forestry does
remove approximately 100 trees every year plus 100 diseased
Elm trees on City parkways. Over 1,000 cubic yards of
wood chips are generated each year and are available at the
Compost Center for residents at no cost. The remaining wood
that is not turned into wood chips is brought to local saw
mills and divided between City parks and beach pavilions for
use as firewood. If you have any concerns about a tree, or
think your tree may be hazardous, please call 847-810-3563.
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