Creating and nurturing tree-lined streets is a priority for Deerfield and village officials are looking to expand the 50/50 Parkway Tree Program that creates a partnership with residents to plant more.
Residents who want the village to plant a new tree on the parkway in front of their home this summer at a reduced price have until Aug. 31 to place their order to participate in the program designed to enhance the attractiveness of the town’s neighborhoods.
Under the program, homeowners pay half of the village’s cost for the tree and the municipality pays the other 50 percent, according to Bob Phillips, Deerfield’s acting director of public works and engineering.
A resident is limited to one tree per year, according to the village’s website. A person can order more, but must pay the full cost of the additional trees. Though Deerfield will occasionally prune the trees, the rest of the maintenance is the homeowner’s responsibility.
Participants can select one of five tree varietals for planting. The homeowner’s portion ranges from $126.50 to $161, according to the website. The resident also pays a one-time $80 planting fee. The village plants the tree while the homeowner maintains it.
Phillips said increasing the number of trees in town has a host of benefits to the community.
“It’s good for the environment,” Phillips said. “The values of increasing the program are endless for what we want to do. People like tree-lined streets.”
A year ago, the village planted 17 parkway trees as part of the program, according to Justin Keenan, the assistant to the director of public works and engineering. He said that is consistent with the average over the last five years. The goal this year is to double the amount to 36 with a long-term goal of 50.
Keenan said he believes the reason the 50/50 sharing is not more widespread is that residents are unaware of the program.
When the trees are initially planted they will be relatively small with an approximate two-inch diameter, according to Keenan. He said within 10 years, they will near a height between 20 and 70 feet depending on the variety selected.
Though there is a price on the program, Phillips said the participant is paying half of the village’s cost. Because Deerfield buys a large amount of trees, the cost reflects a bulk price rather than the higher one a private contractor or retailer might charge.
Phillips also said trees planted by the village are guaranteed for one year. Any tree that dies within that time period will be replaced free of charge. After that, the homeowner must pay for a new tree, but the village will plant it.
The potentially tallest tree in the mix of the five types available is the bald cypress, which grows at a moderate rate to an eventual height between 50 and 70 feet tall, according to the website.
The most expensive tree in the group is the accolade elm at $161, according to the website. It turns yellow in the autumn and grows up to 60 feet. The least expensive tree is the China snow peking lilac at $126.50. It can reach a height of 20 to 30 feet and also has yellow fall foliage.
Other trees include swamp white oaks and State Street maples, according to the website.
