Tree cut in Winnebago Co. preserves draws protest

Some residents in northern Illinois are unhappy with the decision to cut down thousands of pine trees in three Winnebago County Forest Preserves.

The Rockford Register Star reports that officials ordered the cut in an effort to restore the landscape to its natural prairie.

Residents say they didn’t get any warning about the massive clearing.

Judy Kennon lives near Roland Olson Forest Preserve, where more than 2,200 pines were taken down starting in early December. She says she feels violated because she didn’t have any say in the decision.

Thousands of pines were also removed from Pecatonica River and Fuller Memorial forest preserves.

District officials are working to explain the ecological benefits of the clearing. And they’ve promised more public outreach before moving forward with future programs.