The Chainlink

Will I get in trouble for this? NBT Trimming.

A bit of background: I'm in Glenview and enjoy taking Lake Ave. to the North Branch Trail for a loop around the Skokie Lagoons. Yesterday, due to other obligations, I didn't head out for my usual ride until 7:45 or so.

When I left, there was plenty of light and calm winds. Shortly after getting to halfway mark of my ride, it got dark and the sky opened up - in short, I got drenched.

I didn't mind the rain; it was actually kind of fun pushing through the water and I ended up only a minute or two off my best time for the ride.

The only thing that took away from the ride were the number branches hanging over the trail (and the sidewalk of Lake Ave). On dry days, these are just something to keep an eye out for (I'm sure many of us know their locations by heart). But they do present a hazard for folks that don't expect them, especially near corners or when there is oncoming traffic on the other side of the trail. Last night, heavy from being soaked in rain, they were much lower, heavier, and harder to avoid.

So here's what I'm considering: My 11 year old and I occasionally go out for a casual rides along my usual route - I could grab a pair pruning shears from the garage, throw them in my bag, and do some "trimming" as we work our way along the trail.

I've never seen Forest Preserve District police (or any LE) on the trail, but do you think if we were to have a run in with officer (ranger?) friendly, they would throw me and my daughter in the paddy wagon? How about objections from other riders/skaters/walkers? I'm not talking about doing anything destructive here, just trimming enough for reasonably-sized person to fit under these overhangs.

The FPDCC website does mention a prohibition against "removing or damaging any plants or trees", but if left unchecked, this will escalate from an inconvenience to a safety issue. I couldn't find anywhere to report issues like this.

I'm inclined to go for it, but would appreciate any input/advice you all have.

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Permalink Reply by Tony Adams on August 1, 2013 at 9:13am

I'm guessing the legal answer is no. But I think you should do it anyway. It would be a laudable public service. I would be careful though not to create a potentially dangerous situation in which you leave pointy branch cuts just off the trail. Try to cut branches all the way off where they sprout off of a larger branch. The natural end of a tree or shrub branch is usually pretty pliable and soft. A branch cut off in the middle somewhere creates a potential hazard. Think "sharp stick in the eye" ...

For optimum tree health, my understanding is that trimming should only happen after or before the growing season when the sap is longer running in the tree. But I mostly ignore that advice and I have yet to kill a tree by trimming it (then again, my data is pretty limited).

Permalink Reply by Adam Herstein on August 1, 2013 at 9:44am

Call 311.

Permalink Reply by Lisa Curcio on August 1, 2013 at 9:53am

But he is not in Chicago. And if he were, it probably would be park district responsibility.
 
Adam Herstein (5.5 mi) said:

Call 311.

Permalink Reply by Adam Herstein on August 1, 2013 at 9:58am

Ah, my bad. I thought the OP was riding the North Shore Channel Trail. Does Glenview have a 311 service?

Lisa Curcio 6.5 mi said:

But he is not in Chicago. And if he were, it probably would be park district responsibility.
 
Adam Herstein (5.5 mi) said:

Call 311.

Permalink Reply by Andy J on August 1, 2013 at 8:24pm

Thanks for the comments and advice everyone - mission accomplished (from Lake to Tower at least)

Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on August 2, 2013 at 2:02am

Nice work, thanks!

I recall there being volunteer efforts to clear out invasive growth (especially Buckthorn) from various places along the NBT, and I don't recall ever hearing about anyone going to jail.

FWIW I have noticed my own trees growing an amazing amount this year... was wondering why my Sycamore was shedding so much bark but came to the realization it's grown visibly just this season. I'll bet (whoever studies tree rings) will be using 2013 as a landmark in future analyses...



Andy J said:

Thanks for the comments and advice everyone - mission accomplished (from Lake to Tower at least)

Permalink Reply by Tom Dworzanski on August 2, 2013 at 2:47am
Andy J said:

Thanks for the comments and advice everyone - mission accomplished (from Lake to Tower at least)


I ride the NBR almost every day and I just wanted to say thanks!

It's too bad this isn't being done by the proper authorities, especially considering the property taxes they get. The trail north of Tower that runs near the Edens could really use some trimming.
Permalink Reply by Michael J Blane on August 2, 2013 at 9:29am

Here's a link to the Forest Preserve District of Cook County.

Here's their contact information: 

Headquarters

536 North Harlem Avenue

River Forest, IL 60305 | map

Main: (800) 870-3666

TDD: (708) 771-1190

FPD Police: (708) 771-1000

We wouldn't want anyone to get fined for "trimming"

Permalink Reply by rik on August 2, 2013 at 12:10pm

I often go through the park and streets with my FISKARS

This little guy can cut up to 1 in branch.

In any case thank you and we owe you a coffee.

do not worry about any fines; I for one will help pay them.

Permalink Reply by grayn8 on August 8, 2013 at 8:27am
On my ride yesterday, they were trimming the trees and stuff! Yea! They had signs up alerting riders and even stopped as I went thru. Don't know if someone followed through and called the proper folks or if it was just time on the sched.
Permalink Reply by Andy J on August 8, 2013 at 8:52am

I was on my usual route from Lake to Tower last night, but didn't see anything - what part of the trail were you on?

Permalink Reply by grayn8 on August 8, 2013 at 11:23am
My sense of location maybe off and I took the ugly tower to Sheridan to Chicago/Clark to Chicago today. But I think it was that bit right after harms park (old orchard) you cross through harms then cross this funky intersection. Go a little bit east beside some road then turn south and are back on a nice bit of nbt. I think it was that wing. I'm pretty bad with streets, but this is south of Lake in Wilmette, but north of lake in Evanston.

Andy J said:

I was on my usual route from Lake to Tower last night, but didn't see anything - what part of the trail were you on?

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