Mt. Prospect trees worth $118 million, consultant says

Mount Prospect is adopting an “Urban Forest Management Plan” to guide the village’s tree care based on a study by Urban Forestry LLC of New York and presented to the board by Christopher Luley last week.

The study found the village’s 23,724 parkway trees have an appraised value of $118 million, and the majority of these trees are in very good to excellent condition. The village’s current urban forest management program provides a return of $2.29 for each dollar spent. Despite challenges such as diseases, insects and storms, the average longevity of the village’s parkway tree is significantly above average due to an effective tree management program over the past 20 years.

“We have found the village’s urban forestry program to be highly competent, efficiently run and technically proficient,” Luley told trustees. He recommended the village continue funding an urban forest management program featuring five-year rotational pruning as its cornerstone, as well as continued planting efforts emphasizing species diversity, to the extent budget conditions allow.

Mount Prospect Forestry/Grounds Superintendent Sandy Clark said that village arborists will be available this winter to speak to community groups interested in learning about the village’s urban forest and the findings from the new management plan, which is on the village website, www.mountprospect.org. Clark can be reached at (847) 870-5640.