Photo-documentary of destructive line clearance in Wauconda, IL Heavy damage to heritage oaks and other trees Improper pruning and use of equipment Beware, citizens . . .

1. Destruction of Wauconda, IL TreesPhotographed July 31, 2010 Commonwealth Edison is responsible for providing safe and reliable electric power to its customers. ComEd contracts out its line clearance work. Guidelines are to trim slow-growth trees 10-12 feet back from the power lines AND to do so following ANSI A300 pruning standards.

2. Oak tree on west side of Fairfield Road between Bonner Road and Route 176, Wauconda, IL VIOLATION of ANSI A300 5.2.1 – Equipment and work practices that damage living tissue and bark beyond the scope of the work should be avoided. 5.5.4 – The growth cycle and structure of individual species . . . should be considered. 5.5.5 – Not more than 25% of the foliage should be removed . . .

4. The machine on the right is intended for clear-cutting heavy overgrowth in rural areas—NOT for maintenance trimming around power lines and NOT for trees people care about.

5. Tree at NW corner of Bonner Road & Washington Avenue, Wauconda, IL VIOLATION of ANSI A300 5.3.2 – Remove branches without leaving stubs 5.3.3 – Angle the cut . . . 5.10.2.1.5 – Branches should be cut to laterals or the parent branch

6. Tree at NW corner of Bonner Road & Washington Avenue, Wauconda, IL

7. This is Route 176 west of Fairfield Road. Based on the cutting done as of 7-31-2010, this is the next stretch of trees to be cut for line clearance. What will it look like when ComEd’s contractors are done?

8. Here are some samples of the work done so far along 176 west of Fairfield Road . . .

11. Next in their path . . . 176 west of Fairfield Road, just east of the entrance to Lakewood Forest Preserve.

12. Coming soon to a tree near you? Save our trees from inappropriate, destructive pruning. ComEd contractors have legal authority to perform maintenance trimming around the power lines. However, they must be held responsible for doing so without destroying the beauty and health of the trees. If they are destroying your property, tell them to STOP. Take down their truck number and license plate number and talk with the crew foreman. If necessary, call the Lake County Sheriff’s Office or your village police department. Call 1-800-Edison-1 and ask to speak with the External Affairs Manager for your geographic location. Call or write to your municipality’s governing body and complain. Wauconda claims to be a “Tree City USA.” Will they continue to tolerate such activity within their city limits?

13. Excerpts from American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Standard A300, 3/2007 ANSI A300 standards present performance standards for the care and management of trees, shrubs, and other woody plants. ANSI A300 standards are intended as guides for federal, state, municipal and private entities including arborists, property owners, property managers, and utilities in the development of their management specifications. ANSI A300 standards shall apply to any person or entity engaged in the management of trees, shrubs, or other woody plants.

14. Excerpts from ANSI A300, 3/2007

15. Excerpts from ANSI A300, 3/2007 ANSI A300 text in full online thanks to Tree Care Industry Association, Manchester NH www.tcia.orghttp://www.tcia.org/PDFs/Part1-PruningDrft2V1PubRev02%2707.pdf

16. On Monday, August 2, a crew was at the site of the oak tree (slides 1 through 3), chipping the limbs that had been cut off. I assume this crew came from the same contractor that destroyed this tree. I have more photographs of this chipping work in action, should identification of the contractor be necessary. Please share this slide show. Help stop the destruction of more trees.