Oak Lawn's Invasive Plant Rules: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles invasive plant rules a little differently. In Oak Lawn, Illinois, there are 2 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Tree-of-Heaven Removal

Oak Lawn's village code bars planting tree of heaven (Ailanthus) anywhere in the village, listing it by name alongside box elder, hawthorn and other species the Village prohibits.

Key details: Prohibited species: Tree of heaven (Ailanthus). Governs: New plantings, not existing trees. Also banned: Box elder, hawthorn, soft maple, willow. 2008 addition: Ash, mulberry, Bradford pear. Applies: Village-wide, Oak Lawn corporate limits.

The code does not attach a stand-alone penalty to section 9-2-1 itself; violations of Title 9 tree provisions are generally enforceable as municipal code violations subject to the Village's general penalty schedule, with the director of the office of quality control administering tree-related code sections.

Prohibited Species

Oak Lawn bans planting box elder, tree of heaven, hawthorn, silver maple, poplar, willow, and non-disease-resistant elm anywhere in the village, with ash, mulberry, and Bradford pear added to the banned list in 2008.

Key details: Citation: Village Code § 9-2-1. Core banned trees: Box elder, hawthorn, silver maple, willow. 2008 additions: Ash, mulberry, Bradford pear. Penalty: $100–$750 fine per offense. Scope: Village-wide, private and public property.

Planting a banned species is enforced under the Village's general penalty, Code § 1-4-1: a fine of $100 to $750 per offense, with each day of a continuing violation treated as a separate offense.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Oak Lawn actively enforces its prohibited species requirements.

The Bottom Line

Oak Lawn's invasive plant rules rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Oak Lawn is broadly strict or permissive.

This guide is based on Oak Lawn's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.