North Barrington honors Tree of the Year

The Village of North Barrington honored its Tree of the Year for 2016 as part of North Barrington's Arbor Day celebration. The tree of 2016 is a stunning tulip tree growing off of Signal Hill Road in the Biltmore neighborhood. It was selected because of its exceptional size, rarity, and form. Each year the village honors a Tree of the Year in recognition of the aesthetic value trees provide to the North Barrington landscape.

"Such a beautiful tree is a testimonial to the Arbor Day tradition of planting trees," says Village Forester Susan Allman. She continues, "This tulip tree was probably planted by one of the village's early residents. That it continues to thrive is evidence that these residents put the right tree in the right place."

Given this tree's spectacular cup-shaped, yellow blossoms, it is often planted in lawns and parks. The rapidly-growing tulip tree is rarely bothered by serious disease or insect pests. Adding to its ornamental value is its tulip-shaped leaves, unique among Illinois trees.

The current homeowners, Mark and Vicki Mathews, were presented with a Tree of the Year plaque as part of North Barrington's Arbor Day celebration at North Barrington's Village Hall.