• The Benefits of Trees
• A Guide for containing Cottony Maple Scale
• Maple Tar Spot

While the Public Works Department mows many of the rights-of-ways and retention/detention ponds in Carol Stream, there are also ponds and rights-of-way within the Village that are maintained by other local governmental bodies, such as DuPage County, the local school districts, and the Carol Stream Park District. 

Every effort is made to maintain a routine mowing schedule during the mowing season, but sometimes in periods of rainy weather, the ground in these areas becomes too soft to mow safely with our heavy equipment.  This may lengthen the time between mowing dates.

If you have concerns or questions about a particular area, please call us at (630) 871-6260.

Each year the Village plants trees along the public roads and on other Village properties as part of an effort to replace trees that were removed and improve the quality of life for both our residents and wildlife.  The number and locations of these plantings is determined by the following criteria, in order of priority, and funding availability:

1. Residents who have lost trees in their parkway due to damage, disease, or other causes, and have sufficient space to plant a new tree, and choose to replace the old tree.
2. Residents requesting trees and have sufficient space to plant a new tree.
3. Areas noted by staff as good locations for additional plantings.

How do I request a tree?

Call Public Works 630-871-6273 to make your request or 630-871-6260 to report a potential tree issue. A certified Village Arborist will be dispatched to inspect the tree and the site. If a recommendation is made to remove the tree, and/or there is enough space for a new tree, you will be contacted to confirm whether you want to be added to the next planting cycle.

Please be aware that some sections of the Village were originally designed with narrower parkways not conducive to tree planting. In those areas, the Village required the developer to plant at least one tree in the front yard on private property. The Village will not plant trees in these parkways nor on private property.

What type of tree can I request?

The Village will provide you with tree species options to choose from during the next planting cycle, based upon choices made by the Village, in concert with the selected tree nursery. If you do not provide a species selection from the list provided, the Village will choose one for you based on various factors including spacing, canopy diversity, etc.

What else should I know?

• Trees cannot be planted in the same spot where a tree was removed.
• Before tree planting begins, the Village will make arrangements for your utility providers (gas, telephone, electric, and cable tv) to mark the location of their underground lines near where the tree will be planted.  These markings do not indicate the location the tree will be installed, but rather identify the location of the nearby utilities.
• Remove any decorative bricks or pots near the site so they are not damaged in the planting process.
• This program does not apply to trees or shrubs on private property.

Village parkway trees are trimmed on a six-year rotating schedule each year by the Village’s tree-trimming contractor. Parkway trees are trimmed in a manner to promote upward growth, remove deadwood, prevent vehicles from striking branches, and allow clearance for safe passage on sidewalks.  The specifications for tree trimming were developed to follow recommendations of the National Arborist Association and in consultation with the Morton Arboretum.  The winter months are the best time to trim trees and to remove damaged or dead branches because the wounds heal faster when this is done before the spring growth. 

Woodchips produced from the tree trimming are used as mulch on public properties in the spring.  Zone 5 is scheduled to be trimmed this winter. See the map below to see if your area is scheduled for trimming this year.

• The Public Works Department begins lawn restoration from plow damage in the spring, normally during April or May, as weather permits.
• After water main breaks, we have found that if restoration is made too quickly there will be further settlement, resulting in a poor restoration job. In these cases, we will try to restore an area within two months after the work has been completed, depending upon the season and weather conditions.
• If, at any time before restoration work is complete, you are concerned that the area is unsafe, please call Public Works at (630) 871-6260, and we will take temporary precautions until the restoration work can be completed.

These marks identify underground utilities. Each color identifies a different type of utility line and aids excavators so they do not damage those lines (see chart below). The Public Works Department marks water lines, sewer lines, and streetlight cable.

Residents who are digging in their yards for landscaping or construction purposes must call J.U.L.I.E. (Joint Utility Locating Information for Excavators) at 8-1-1 or contact them by e-request HERE. J.U.L.I.E. provides a free service to call for the locating and marking of underground utility facilities. According to State law, J.U.L.I.E. must be contacted at least two days BEFORE any digging work begins.

So why are there marks in your yard?  Are you having cable installed, a patio poured, a fence built, your yard landscaped, or a mailbox installed? You or your contractor will call J.U.L.I.E. for any of these reasons - and quite a few more. A J.U.L.I.E. Representative will issue a dig number and notify all utility companies to clearly mark the location of their service lines on the property where the work will take place.

These flags or paint marks may also show up if a utility company is performing work in a utility easement in or near your yard.  If you still have questions about J.U.L.I.E. locate markings, call the Carol Stream Public Works Department at (630) 871-6260, and we’ll try to help.

Have you noticed an area in your yard where someone has placed colored flags or painted lines on your lawn? Do you wonder what’s going on? These marks identify underground utilities. Each color identifies a different type of utility line and aids excavators so they do not damage those lines (see chart below). The Public Works Department marks water lines, sewer lines and streetlight cable.

Residents who are digging in their yards for landscaping or construction purposes should always remember to dial 811 or (1-800-892-0123) before digging. J.U.L.I.E. provides a free service to call for the locating and marking of underground utility facilities.

So why are there marks in your yard? Are you having cable installed? A patio poured? A fence built? Your yard landscaped? Your contractor would call JULIE for any of these reasons - and quite a few more. If you still have questions about JULIE locate markings, call the Carol Stream Public Works Department at (630) 871-6260, and we’ll try to help.