Tree removal planned for Illini State Park

Damaged and diseased trees are coming down this week at Illini State Park in Marseilles.

DNR officials are taking down 24 trees that are either damaged or diseased, including 16 black oak trees.  The oak trees are apparently suffering from a very infectious “oak wilt disease”.  Areas where trees are being removed are closed to the public.

Foresters say it could take several growing seasons to break the disease cycle.