When you think of Glendale Heights you think forest, right?
Uh, nope.
Well, that's about to change - albeit in a very small way.
The village is going into the nursery business, nursery as in baby trees.
"We should have a contest to name it. Maybe we can call it Urban," Parks and Recreation Director Cecelia Sullivan joked.
Actually, the nursery plan is a very serious one aimed at saving the village thousands of dollars annually.
Right now, Glendale Heights spends anywhere from $17,000 to $25,000 annually just buying 70 to 80 trees. The new stock replaces trees that died or were moved and killed because of parkway work.
By comparison, the cost of 100 seedlings is $200. It takes about 10 years for them to mature. But, when they're ready the trees are worth about $12,000.
Starting this spring, village crews will plant 100 seedlings and 100 saplings at a makeshift nursery on Mill Pond Drive between President Street and Schmale Road. Initially, the investment will total $5,000, the bulk of which is for saplings.
They should be ready to harvest in 2003, while the seedlings will be ready for transplanting in 2005 or later.
Then next year the village would follow the same planting schedule, but at a cost of about $2,000.
Every year after that, however, the cost would stay around $200, Sullivan estimates.
All trees on public parkways, along property or in public parks are the responsibility of the parks and recreation department, which will not only plant but also maintain them. Sullivan said the staff also will watch over and maintain the new nursery.
The selection of trees planted will stay in the fast-growing shade-tree category including maples and locusts.
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