Vernon Hills to Replace More Than 500 Ash Trees

Vernon Hills will replace 550 ash trees with other species this year as village crews continue efforts to eliminate trees infested with the emerald ash borer.

Most of the trees earmarked for this year’s efforts have already been removed, Public Works Director David Brown said. The village will receive “truckload after truckload of trees” this month that will be planted in their place. 

“We really need to have a diverse urban forest,” Brown said. Planting a wide variety of trees will help prevent future mass infestations when particular species are attacked, he said.

Ash tree replacement will this year.

There are about 3,600 ash trees on Vernon Hills’ parkways, Brown said. Additional ash trees are on other open spaces, Vernon Hills Park District property and the land behind the EJ&E railroad tracks. As the emerald ash borer infestation spreads, additional trees will be targeted for removal and replacement, Brown said. 

The village replaced 180 infested ash trees in 2012. Brown estimated that complete removal and replacement will be done over the course of six years.