Regulations For Removing A Tree in Illinois

Residents of the city of Chicago cannot remove trees on their private property without getting a tree work permit from the Bureau of Forestry. The bureau will issue the tree work permit in conjunction with a liability insurance certificate, in the case that the removal causes damage to your property or the property of others.

If you’re like most people, you probably like keeping existing trees on your property because they add privacy, shade, and character to your outdoor space. There may come a time, however, where you’ll need some of your trees to be removed. There are many legitimate reasons why homeowners and business owners may need to cut down a tree on their property. Let’s take a look at a few of the reasons below.

Protect Your Home Or Business

Did you know that tree roots can be extremely destructive? You read that right. All trees are susceptible to root disturbance. Tree roots spread horizontally underground and they can destroy fences, pipes, concrete floors, and even the foundation of your structure. To thoroughly understand how trees are affected by their roots, it’s important to have an understanding of a tree’s root system.

Ninety percent of a tree’s root system is located in the first 12 to 18 inches of soil. The roots extend in a radial manner from the trunk, and they can be one to two times the height of the tree itself!

Prevent Injuries On Your Property

The bigger and older a tree gets, the more likely it is that you’ll have to deal with overhanging branches that can pose a safety risk to the people on your property. Even if the tree isn’t situated right next to your home, it’s important to think about the safety of you and your family when playing in the yard or doing lawn work. Falling tree branches could also result in broken power lines, which is never a good thing either.

Get Rid of Pests or Rodents

If you’ve started to notice the skitter scatter of rats, mice, termites, or cockroaches on your landscape, there may be a troublesome tree on your property. Diseased and dying trees tend to attract a variety of pests, and it won’t take long before these creepy crawlers start migrating towards your home. If your home is made of wood, you should be particularly concerned about termites, as they can cause irreversible damage to your property.

A Tree Is Dead Or Dying

Have you started to notice an abundance of branches on your property? Have your trees stopped growing leaves? Have you noticed fungus growth on your trees? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may have a few dead or dying trees on your landscape. A dead tree is not only an eye sore to look at, it can pose a huge safety risk to people and things on your property. In addition, if you have a tree that is dying due to disease, it’s important to remove the tree right away. If not, there’s a chance that the disease could spread to other living plants.

A Better Aesthetic

Let’s be honest: everyone wants to have an attractive property with curbside appeal. Sometimes, however, an unsightly tree can hinder the appearance you’d like to convey. Some Illinois homeowners don’t like their property being surrounded by shade, and sometimes trees can block beautiful views that would otherwise never be seen from your home.

​

Some other obvious reasons for tree removal include:

• The tree is dead or unhealthy

• The tree was damaged in a storm and is beyond repair

• The tree is growing too close to your property or the roots are encroaching on your home, structure, utility lines, or other structures

• The tree drops troublesome leaves, needles, sap, or branches

• The tree is leaning in a dangerous direction (toward your home, driveway, deck, children’s play area, etc.)

• The tree has structural problems such as interior decay

• The tree has a disease or insect infestation that will eventually cause the tree to die