By: John Fryman
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
john@thevillagereporter.com
The Edgerton Tree Commission finalized plans for the upcoming Arbor Day Program at its meeting on Wednesday, March 25.
Tree Commission members in attendance were Dawn Fitzcharles, Becki Wilmot, Jeremy Wright, Chuck Wallace, and Brian Bowsher.
Bowsher was appointed to the commission, replacing Chuck Merriman, who had recently passed away. Merriman was a tree enthusiast in the village for many years.
The Arbor Day Program is set for Friday, April 24, at 10 a.m. Students from Edgerton Local Schools and St. Mary’s Catholic School will take part in the annual springtime event.
Highlighting the Arbor Day activities is the planting of two new trees in memory of Merriman and the late Don Buchs, who served on the Village Council for 12 years. The location of the tree planting is yet to be determined.
In addition, tree seedlings will be given to children at the event. Last year, 57 trees were planted, and the village hopes to continue the longtime tradition.
Sweet gum trees have been a persistent problem in the village. Officials said they have explored several approaches to address the issue, though some options have proven unviable.
“I think we counted when the arborist came through, there were 53 sweet gum trees in the village, so it wasn’t a small problem,” said Edgerton Mayor Robert Day.
Paula Dockery addressed the Tree Commission about her property’s sweet gum trees. “We have two sweet gum trees on our property, and they’re really tall,” said Dockery.
“My preference would be to cut down and put something else there, maybe something smaller. My other option would be to really trim up the trunk because when I mow, I’m being hit by limbs.”
Day referenced the River Bend area, where sweet gum trees have also been a problem.
“We are hoping maybe with the sidewalk projects in some of those areas, we’ll take some of those down because they’re right in line and it’s community wide,” said Day.
“If we would come down if it’s possible from the village administrator’s office to send somebody down to trim some of those lower branches. It might be a starting point as we go on from there.”