Above / Due to their rapid growth, cottonwood trees often have a lifespan of 70 years or less. This week, the three huge cottonwood trees at the entrance to the Dr. Edward and Cecelia Moser Covered Bridge along the Riverwalk extension will be coming down to help keep visitors safe. (PN Photo)
Ever notice the three expansive cottonwood trees when stopped for the light on Aurora at Washington in front of Burger King?
Situated near the Dr. Edward and Cecelia Moser Covered Bridge, the three tall trees soon will disappear. During the February Riverwalk Commission meeting, commissioners learned that the middle tree has been shedding large, weighty pieces of bark onto the walkway, exposing a dead and decaying core—a safety hazard. Similarly, the southern tree is displaying early signs of the same issue. Certified Arborists have thoroughly assessed all three trees, and their unanimous recommendation is to remove all three.
The many cottonwood trees along the Riverwalk have a very short lifespan for a tree. Assuming everything in the tree’s favor, the fast-growing, weak-limbed cottonwood trees live on average 50 to 90 years.
Welcome signs of the times
Signs along the Riverwalk path are, well, signs of care and maintenance now in progress throughout the city’s natural treasure in the heart of town.
According to the Naperville Park District website, “all trees are assessed by Certified Arborists, and any trees found to be a safety concern or in severe decline are scheduled for removal. New trees are planted each year to replace what was removed. Healthy trees are pruned as needed.”
Update about three tall cottonwood trees
And here’s an update about those three tall cottonwood trees pictured in “Lasting Impression” on page 31 of the March 2024 issue of PN, a picture also featured at the top of this post that was taken on February 20.
During the March Riverwalk Commission meeting on March 13, 2024, Tiffani Picco, Park Operations Manager—Riverwalk and North Parks, who represents the Naperville Park District at commission meetings, reported that the three trees she mentioned in February would be coming down this week as crews were beginning to arrive “today.”
Afterward, a quick trip to the parking lot behind River District and over toward the covered bridge provided time to take a few shots of the three tall trees from another view looking west.
Now you see them… Soon you won’t.
We appreciate all efforts to provide care and maintenance to the Naperville Riverwalk from the Jefferson Avenue Bridge to the Hillside Road Bridge, including recent shoreline restoration and stabilization initiatives that keep the winding brick path safe for visitors to enjoy every changing season.
Discover the Riverwalk in the heart of downtown Naperville where shopping, dining and many special events also welcome visitors.
One more thing… Thanks, too, to all visitors who help keep the Riverwalk and all local parks beautiful by using trash receptacles and mutt mitts.
For more information about the Riverwalk as featured in Positively Naperville, simply search “Riverwalk” or visit https://www.positivelynaperville.com/?s=riverwalk.
Thanks for reading! —PN
Progress! / Just after midday, March 13, 2024
Three cottonwood trees are coming down along the Riverwalk. New trees will be planted to replace what was removed. Thanks for keeping the Riverwalk safe.
Final notes as last logs are loaded / March 14, 2024
About 3PM Fri., March 14, after parking in one of the spaces close to the Hillside Road Bridge near Brown’s Chicken, steps along the Riverwalk extension took us to the spot where landscapers from Abbott Tree Care Professionals were finishing their almost two-day project.
The crew of five from yesterday was now down to one individual who was placing the last large logs into the dump body of his truck. We waited to ask the hydraulic claw operator a few questions.
After introductions and explaining our wish to find a few numbers to go with our questions, we learned Sean Fennessy also serves as a tree-climbing arborist for Abbott.
Simply stated, the tallest of the three cottonwood trees stood 80 feet high. Six loads of logs had been taken to a nearby location to be turned into mulch.
Fennessy said Abbott Tree Care has been independently-and-family-owned by Mike Abbott, for a little more than 33 years. The business that started in 1990 with a chainsaw and few ropes, now has about 70 employees, including landscapers, arborists, tree climbers, crane operators and other employees who enjoy working in the great outdoors.
Still in awe of watching the tree climber on Wednesday secure himself way high in order to use his chainsaw and attach logs for lowering as they were cut, Fennessy noted that “Gil was the one up there yesterday.”
With safety still on our mind, we wondered how anyone does it.
“For starters, we have good equipment,” Fennessy said. “And you have to trust your crane operator. And mostly trust yourself.”
Kindly note that efforts to provide care and maintenance to the Naperville Riverwalk from the Jefferson Avenue Bridge to the Hillside Road Bridge include shoreline restoration and stabilization initiatives that help keep the winding brick path safe for visitors to enjoy every changing season.
Remember. Every species of tree has a lifespan. Some trees are invasive. Not all trees grow as tall, as wide or as long as giant sequoias.
Be sure to take a stroll along the Riverwalk soon while many spring flowers are blooming in late winter.
Here’s a photo gallery in no particular order…
