Geneva’s Street and Fleet Division is responsible for the planning and delivery of maintenance services and programs including streets, sidewalks and alleys, public and commuter parking lots, signs and pavement markings, streetscape, cemetery, urban forestry, and community festival support. The Division also provides the community with information about tree maintenance and watering.

In addition, the Street and Fleet Division is responsible for the management of fleet services associated with the maintenance of the entire City-owned fleet of vehicles and equipment that includes over 175 units. This is accomplished utilizing a modern computer-based system emphasizing preventive maintenance and comprehensive cost controls.

Some of the more noteworthy services managed by this division are:

• Brush and leaf collection program
• Pothole filling/pavement repairs/crack sealing
• Sidewalk repairs
• Snow & ice control services
• Street cleaning
• Parkway tree planting, pruning and removal

The Division was recently honored by the receipt of the Salt Institute’s “Excellence in Storage” Award which recognizes public snow and ice control programs for the establishment and implementation of policies, procedures and facilities that support superior environmental management of de-icing materials.

Contact Information
Steve LeMaire, Superintendent of Streets
1800 South Street
Geneva, IL 60134
(630) 232-1502
slemaire@geneva.il.us

Mulching for Trees and Shrubs

Mulch is an organic material spread on the soil surface to protect plant roots from the heat, cold and drought conditions.

BENEFITS OF MULCHING

Overall, Mulching will help promote root growth and better tree, shrub and plant survival.

• Mulch provides an Insulation Layer that helps moderate temperature extremes. Mulching will keep the soil warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer compared to bare soils. Roots are protected from temperature extremes.

• Mulching will Conserve Soil Moisture . Bare soil conditions will heat up and cause water evaporation. Mulch will reduce the water evaporation, conserving soil moisture for optimal root development and help reduce wasted watering during high summer temperatures.

• Mulching will Improve the Soil's Fertility components . Mulch will increase organic matter in the surface of heavy clay soils and improves the water holding capacity of light, sandy soils. Mulch will convert to humus during decomposition and nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorous are slowly released.

• Mulching will Prevent Erosion . Mulch will slow dispersion of the soil during rain events or sprinkler activity. Mulch reduces water and soil runoff by the holding water until is soaks into the soil.

• Mulching will also to limited degree help keep Weed Growth to a Minimum .

PROPER MULCHING TECHNIQUES

Two common mistakes in mulch application are:

1. Applying the material with too much depth.

2. Mounding the mulch on plant bases/trunks/stems.

• Mulch should be spread/applied and maintained around trees, shrubs and planting beds to a depth of 2-4 inches.

• Mulch must NOT be applied up to the tree base. Pull mulch away from the tree base to create a saucer or donut at the base of the tree. Never allow volcano of mulch. This is the piling of mulch up to the base of the tree. If mulch is allowed to be applied against the tree base, moisture will build up, creating ideal conditions for insect pests and diseases and possibly a girdling root symptom may also start to develop.

• Mulched area for tree application should extend to the drip line of the branches or at least cover 4-5 foot diameter area around the tree base/trunk.

WATERING TREES AND SHURBS

One of the most important components to insure the survival or newly planted trees, transplanted trees and established trees is proper watering. Drought conditions will weaken and stress trees, resulting in stunted shoot growth, sparse foliage and higher susceptibility to insects and diseases. A watering schedule should be followed to insure the tree is receiving accurate amount of water.

Newly Planted Trees

Proper watering is the most important component in the care of a transplanted tree. Too much or too little water can result in tree injury. Newly planted trees and shrubs may need to be watered for 2-3 years until their root systems become established. Large trees that have been transplanted may take longer. For the first few months of the growing season after a tree is planted the tree draws most of its moisture from the root ball. The root ball can dry out in only a day or two, therefore it is critical to apply the water to the root ball area of the tree by either a soaker hose system or using a hose with the water rate at an extremely slow rate (to avoid runoff) and by the moving the hose periodically. The ideal amount of water per week should be in the 1" volume.

The City of Geneva would greatly appreciate if resident's who have received a newly planted tree in the parkway in front of their residence, would provide weekly watering to insure the survival of the young trees.

Established Trees

Even after trees are well established, they should be watered generously during periods of drought. The top 8-12 inches of the soil should be kept moist around trees during periods of drought, at least as far as the branches spread (drip line). It is impossible to provide a formula on how much or how often to water a tree to keep the upper 8-12 inches of soil moist. The amount of water required will vary with local site conditions, but without adequate rainfall, established trees may need watering as often as every 10-14 days or 1" weekly. A soaker hose system or using a hose with an extremely low water rate can be used.

Watering Methods

•  If the ground is level, simply let an open hose run on the ground at an extremely slow water rate (avoid runoff) and move it reposition it periodically to get good distribution. A soaker hose if allowed is good method.

•  If the ground slopes severely, a root-watering needle may be necessary. Insert the needle no more than 6 inches into the ground and reposition it frequently since it moistens a small area around the insertion point.

It is important not to saturate the trunk area and you keep the top 8-12 inches of soil evenly moist throughout dry periods.

ALL WATERING MUST STRICTLY COMPLY WITH ALL CITY OF GENEVA WATERING CONSERVATION REGULATIONS.