NEWS

WIRES

OTHER

Local Businesses, Including Autumn - SavATree, Lend a Hand to Historical Society Garden Affected by the Emerald Ash Borer

The Eklund Garden, located at 377 Park Avenue in Glencoe, IL., added its name to a growing list of properties impacted by the proliferation of the emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis), a highly destructive and invasive species of beetle. The garden, which was donated to the Glencoe Historical Society by Sara C. Eklund in 2000, lost five ash trees due to the beetles' presence. To accommodate for the resulting loss of tree canopy, Autumn Tree -- a SavATree Company -- and Mariani Landscape offered their expertise to reconfigure the landscape.

Autumn - SavATree, a leading provider of tree services throughout Chicagoland and the Principal Tree Health Care Sponsor of the Chicago Botanic Garden, presented the Historical Society with a benevolent proposal to remove the borer-infested ash trees, remove storm damage to a black walnut tree and remove a large dead branch in a box elder tree. "In our business we've seen firsthand the damage that can be caused by the emerald ash borer," said Mike Provost, an ISA Board-Certified Master Arborist employed by Autumn - SavATree. "While the loss of the trees is unfortunate, we're glad that we were able to help remove them safely and contribute to the restoration of the Eklund Garden."

The impact of the tree loss to the garden designed by John Mariani in 2003 and maintained by the firm ever since was considerable. Vito Mariani of Lake Bluff's Mariani Landscape ordered at the firm's expense many racks of annuals and perennials, 'Limelight' hydrangeas, 'Karen' azaleas, dwarf Korean lilacs, a pagoda dogwood tree, and yards and yards of mushroom mulch to renovate the Eklund Garden. In addition, Mariani Landscape donated all labor costs involved with the three-day installation: five man crews, supervisors and design teams. Glencoe Historical Society Board Member and Garden Chairperson Bill Fritz is "over the moon" with the final product and the generosity exhibited by these two businesses.

The Eklund Garden is being honored later this month by its inclusion on an annual Garden Walk hosted by Mariani Landscape. Participation in the Garden Walk is not required to view the Garden, as it is open to all who would like to take advantage of a quiet respite in downtown Glencoe. Visit the Glencoe Historical Society online to learn more. http://glencoehistoricalsociety.org/home/

About Autumn - SavATree: Autumn Tree -- a SavATree Company -- is the green choice for tree service and lawn care providing environmentally sensible tree, shrub and lawn care services to residential, commercial, historic, government properties and more in select parts of CT, DC, IL, MA, MD, NJ, NY, PA and VA. Services include: tree pruning, tree fertilizer, insect control, tree disease and more. Organic, traditional and hybrid options are available. For more information, visit www.autumn-savatree.com.