Algonquin Shows Bypass Tree Restoration Plans

Responding to complaints that Route 31 Bypass construction denuded a huge swath of Algonquin trees, Village officials recently released landscaping plans to restore the area when the work's finished.

Illinois Department of Transportation maps call for planting 250 deciduous trees in Towne Park and along the Bypass. Translating from the Latin, they'll be mostly burr and white oak with some red oak, a handful of swamp white oak and a sprinkling of other hardwoods like black birch sometimes found in the area .  Also scheduled for planting will be about 150 evergreens, mostly cedars and spruce, and a lot of low-lying shrubs.

One item of possible controversy, the list includes 34 celtis occidentalis or hackberries. The trees are native to the area but they're often considered undesirable and invasive.  On the other hand, some arborists think they provide a good food source for wildlife and habitat for butterflies.

A detailed list of trees and shrubs and where they'll go are here: https://www.algonquin.org/egov/docs/13479767169613.pdf

In the pic:  The conceptual tree plan for Algonquin's Route 31 bypass.  The detailed maps include lots more trees and shrubs.