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Hinsdale, IL —
Hinsdale officials said they will fight to preserve two trees being targeted for removal by Adventist Hinsdale Hospital located near the site of a hospital construction project.
Recently the hospital sought permission from the village to remove the two trees — a 13.5-inch diameter European ash tree and a 9.5-inch diameter Kentucky coffee tree — on village right-of-way west of Oak Street. Hospital officials said the trees limit access to the construction site and could be in the way of construction of a 105,000-square-foot patient wing to the south side of the existing building, 120 N. Oak St.
“With the number of trees the hospital already has removed from their own property, we would like to limit the number of trees removed on our own right-of-way,” said Village Manager David Cook. “We are discussing options other than cutting them down, such as re-routing construction traffic and, at worst, losing just one of the two trees.”
According to the hospital, one option is to cut the two trees down and replace them after the construction project is over.
“We would remove the trees, then replace them later with two trees as similar to the ones to be removed,” said Julie Busch, hospital spokeswoman.
During a June 14 meeting of the Environment and Public Services Committee, panel members discussed the request and agreed to hold off making a recommendation to the Village Board until staff provided more information.
“I don’t like to see us lose trees unless it is absolutely necessary,” said Village Trustee Laura LaPlaca, also the committee chairwoman.
George Franco, director of public services, said removing the trees is unnecessary.
According to John Finnell, village forester, the Kentucky coffee tree is in better condition than the European ash.
“There is no structural issue with the Kentucky coffee. It needs to be about 10-inches in diameter before it begins to make a significant contribution to the landscape of the area,” Finnell said.
The ash tree shows some signs of decline, according to the village.
Busch said extensive landscaping will be done at the site once work is completed.
According to the hospital’s website, the landscape plan calls for many trees, shrubs, perennials and two gardens — one with seating — to be installed.
Village officials said the hospital would like to begin construction at the site by early July, so a resolution will likely have to be worked out within the next two weeks, Cook said.
The hospital has obtained some permits allowing it to move forward with developing a staging area east of Oak Street, Cook said.
Other permit applications are being reviewed by the village, he said.
Hinsdale officials said they will fight to preserve two trees being targeted for removal by Adventist Hinsdale Hospital located near the site of a hospital construction project.
Recently the hospital sought permission from the village to remove the two trees — a 13.5-inch diameter European ash tree and a 9.5-inch diameter Kentucky coffee tree — on village right-of-way west of Oak Street. Hospital officials said the trees limit access to the construction site and could be in the way of construction of a 105,000-square-foot patient wing to the south side of the existing building, 120 N. Oak St.
“With the number of trees the hospital already has removed from their own property, we would like to limit the number of trees removed on our own right-of-way,” said Village Manager David Cook. “We are discussing options other than cutting them down, such as re-routing construction traffic and, at worst, losing just one of the two trees.”
According to the hospital, one option is to cut the two trees down and replace them after the construction project is over.
“We would remove the trees, then replace them later with two trees as similar to the ones to be removed,” said Julie Busch, hospital spokeswoman.
During a June 14 meeting of the Environment and Public Services Committee, panel members discussed the request and agreed to hold off making a recommendation to the Village Board until staff provided more information.
“I don’t like to see us lose trees unless it is absolutely necessary,” said Village Trustee Laura LaPlaca, also the committee chairwoman.
George Franco, director of public services, said removing the trees is unnecessary.
According to John Finnell, village forester, the Kentucky coffee tree is in better condition than the European ash.
“There is no structural issue with the Kentucky coffee. It needs to be about 10-inches in diameter before it begins to make a significant contribution to the landscape of the area,” Finnell said.
The ash tree shows some signs of decline, according to the village.
Busch said extensive landscaping will be done at the site once work is completed.
According to the hospital’s website, the landscape plan calls for many trees, shrubs, perennials and two gardens — one with seating — to be installed.
Village officials said the hospital would like to begin construction at the site by early July, so a resolution will likely have to be worked out within the next two weeks, Cook said.
The hospital has obtained some permits allowing it to move forward with developing a staging area east of Oak Street, Cook said.
Other permit applications are being reviewed by the village, he said.
