Project 350 was initiated in 2022 and was projected to be a five-year effort to plant 350 trees in Galesburg parks and city terraces.
Galesburg's Project 350 has planted more than 750 trees since 2022, surpassing its original goal! Residents desiring to have a tree planted on the city terraces adjacent to their property should contact the Special Projects Coordinator, Tom Simkins, at 309/299-6959
Beginning in May the adult emerald ash borers emerge from under the bark and are present through August. Each adult leaves a D-shaped exit hole in the bark. They feed on ash leaves throughout the 3-6 week life span. Their feeding does not damage or affect the tree. Adults Emerald Ash Borers mate on the bark of trees after about a
week of feeding and building strength. Eggs are laid on the surface of the bark, in bark cracks and crevices or just under the outer bark of ash trees. The eggs, which are very small and reddish-brown, may be laid in groups or individually. Eggs hatch in 2-3 weeks and the larvae immediately begin chewing through the outer bark to the phloem. Larvae begin feeding in late July, but most feeding and growth occur from August to October. Larvae feed in S-shaped tunnels, called galleries, in the phloem. As the larva feeds and grows, the galleries get larger. The galleries disrupt the transport of nutrients and water within, thus killing the tree.
How to prevent the spread
The Emerald Ash Borer is easily transported in hardwood and ash log firewood. State and Federal quarantine restrictions prohibit the movement of firewood due to the possible spread of the Emerald Ash Borer. Firewood should only be purchased locally from a known source. All firewood should be used during the cold months so that emerald ash borer larvae or adults do not survive on logs left through the spring.
Monitor your tree's health
The health of ash trees should be monitored by looking for dead and dying branches at the top of the tree’s crown. City Arborist, Gary Johnson, is the City of Galesburg’s local official authorized to conduct inspections of Ash trees within the City’s jurisdiction. Residents of Galesburg should contact Arborist Johnson for a site inspection if symptoms are seen on an Ash tree.
For more information on the Emerald Ash Borer, consult the Illinois Department of Agriculture website.
Trees for Tomorrow
Citizens can make a donation to fund a commemorative tree planting in Galesburg for our future.
A variety of species, locations and costs are available. For more information, call the Director of Parks and Recreation at 309/344-3140.
A list of needed trees and their location is maintained by the City of Galesburg.
Located at 636 Pickard Road, just west of Farm King.
This service is available to Galesburg residents who pay refuse charges on their water bill.
Dates and Times
Open seasonally: from the third Friday in March through the third Sunday in November
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
Mulch and compost are available to Galesburg residents free of charge and can be picked up during the facilities operating hours. Mulch and compost are provided on a self-serve basis and residents should bring their own shovel to load the material.
Waste Management will pick up yard waste provided it is in a plastic or metal container marked as yard waste, 30-gallon paper yard waste bag or bundled less than 5 feet in length, less than 50 pounds and each limb is less than 5 inches in diameter. For brush and limbs that exceed the allowable limit for curbside pickup, residents can drop off the brush and limbs at the oversized brush drop-off site. Leaves and grass clippings are not accepted at the drop-off site.
The City of Galesburg enjoys the designation of Tree City USA given by the National Arbor Day Foundation. Tree City USA is a symbol of how important trees are to the community and a recognized standard of an effective community forestry program. This is the 14th Year the City of Galesburg has received the Tree City Award.
To be recognized as a Tree City, a community must meet four standards established by the National Arbor Day Foundation:
- A Tree Board or Department
- A Tree Care Ordinance
- A Community Forestry Program with an annual budget of at least $2 per capita
- An Arbor Day Observation and Proclamation
The City was also named a Tree City Growth Award recipient for demonstrating progress in community forest programs. The City received recognition for its interpretive programs, the "Heritage Tree" and "Champion Tree" designation programs, the City's "Urban Forest - a Guide to Natural Disaster Relief - Planning , Responding and Re-Greening" emergency plan, donations and the "Trees for Tomorrow" program. This is the 14th Year the City has received the Growth Award.
Residents who would like to plant their own tree on the City terrace adjacent to their property:
- Please call Public Works at 309-345-3623
- Before planting on the City Street terrace in Galesburg, a $10 permit is required.
- Call JULIE before digging at 1-800-892-0123
- All work on public trees shall comply with the Tree Ordinance of the City of Galesburg, Illinois and the Arboricultural Specifications Manual.
Contact Forestry via Email (Select Public Works)
Call Forestry at 309-345-3623.