1,000 Trees To Cost Buffalo Grove $170,000

By SEAN STILLMAKER Journal & Topics Reporter | Posted: Thursday, June 7, 2012 8:15 am
Buffalo Grove is jumping ahead of the curve by buying trees in bulk.
The village and nearly the entire Northwest suburban area will be needing thousands of trees in upcoming years to replace ones infected by the Emerald Ash Borer.
Buffalo Grove has approximately 7,000 ash trees that will all eventually be infected by EAB, if they haven’t been already, according to officials.
In order to avoid skyrocketing prices from increasing demand, the village wants to lock in prices now by buying in bulk.
The village board approved a contract Monday, June 4 with St. Aubin Nursery in Kirkland to begin growing 1,000 trees for $170,000.
The stock is to be planted this month with harvest expected in the fall of 2014.
The village is also working with the nursery on securing a stock price for the approximate remaining 6,000 replacement trees.
“Demand for nursery stock is going to get very interesting for this region in the upcoming years,” said Village Manager Dane Bragg. “We want to get ahead of the curve.”
The nursery will grow a variety of species for the village such as oak, sycamore, elm, hornbeam, ironwood and others.
Buffalo Grove was first infected by EAB in 2009. Officials estimated costs for total tree removal and replacement at $4 million.
By buying in bulk, the village is hoping to reduce that estimate.