Tree Management

Village Parkway Tree Planting

The Village of Lincolnwood is committed to enhancing the beauty and environmental quality of the community through the maintenance of the urban canopy and yearly tree planting. The benefits of a robust urban forest are numerous and impactful, directly contributing to a healthier, more sustainable community.

Planting trees provides substantial environmental and economic benefits:

  • Reduced Cooling Costs: Strategically placed trees provide essential shade, significantly lowering summer temperatures and reducing the need for air conditioning.
  • Water Runoff Management: The root systems of trees play a crucial role in water uptake, mitigating runoff, and preventing soil erosion.
  • Enhanced Air Quality and Pollution Reduction: Through photosynthesis, trees convert carbon dioxide into oxygen, improving overall air quality. Trees naturally filter pollutants, helping to cleanse the air.

If you are interested in a Village Parkway tree planting, a New Tree Request may be submitted.

 As part of the tree planting program, residents can request trees to be planted on public right-of-way near their properties. A Public Works employee will assess the available planting space and recommend tree species best suited for the area, ensuring the right tree is selected for the size and conditions of each location. Please note that tree planting requests are handled on a first-come, first-served basis, as the number of trees available each year is limited. 

Tree Removal Process

The policy of the Village is to balance the private property rights of landowners with the public health, safety, and welfare that is promoted by the existence and maintenance of trees. Before removing any tree that is eight inches or greater in diameter on private property, residents must obtain a tree removal permit from the Community Development Department. Further, residents who wish to remove any tree greater than eight inches in diameter and outside of the building envelope will be required to plant replacement trees on the property or pay a fee to the Village for the planting of new parkway trees.

Trees that constitute a threat, danger, nuisance, or that may be dangerous to the health of other trees in the Village may be removed without fulfilling the tree replacement requirements and require a permit from the Community Development Department. The penalty for removing a tree is a fine of no less than $1000 and the imposition of a tree replacement fee, in an amount of no less than $150 per diameter inch at breast height (DBH) of the tree removed.

For questions regarding the Tree Management Ordinance or to obtain a tree removal permit, contact the Community Development Department at 847-673-7402. View a tree permit application (PDF).

Tree Trimming

The Village owns and maintains more than 8,600 parkway trees, ranging from newly planted trees with a minimum diameter of 2.5 inches to mature canopy trees measuring up to six feet in diameter and nearly 80 feet tall.

Routine tree trimming is essential to preserving a safe, healthy, and resilient urban forest. Proactive pruning promotes strong structure, removes dead or weakened limbs, improves clearance for pedestrians and vehicles, and reduces the risk of storm damage. To ensure consistent care across all neighborhoods, the Village follows a planned, rotating trimming schedule, completing one section of the community at a time.

For the protection of both residents and the trees themselves, only authorized Public Works personnel or contractors directed by the Village are permitted to trim parkway trees. Residents and private contractors are not allowed to prune or remove parkway trees.