Tree Protection in Evanston, IL (2026)
2 verified tree protection rules for Evanston, Illinois, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Protected Tree Species
Evanston protects trees once they hit a minimum trunk diameter tied to their species-quality group: any public tree at 2 inches DBH, and any private Group A through D tree at 6 inches DBH, becomes a "Protected Tree" triggering permit and replacement rules.
Evanston Protected Tree Species Groups
Significant RestrictionsEvanston City Code § 7-8-8-4(B)(1)
Protected Trees are those trees in groups A, B, C, and D (as defined in the City's Tree Canopy Preservation Policy) with a minimum DBH as listed below: All public trees — 2 inches; Group A — 6 inches; Group B — 6 inches; Group C — 6 inches; Group D — 6 inches.
Parkway Planting
Evanston caps what residents can plant in the street parkway: shrubs, perennials, ornamental grasses, and annuals can't mature taller than 3 feet, new parkway trees must sit 15 feet from any crosswalk, and any parkway planting needs a free Public Works permit.
Evanston Parkway Planting Rules
Some RestrictionsEvanston City Code § 7-8-4-1(A)
No tree shall be planted in parkways or other public places unless it is located at least fifteen (15) feet from any crosswalk or intersecting street or alley. It shall be unlawful to plant, install or maintain any shrub, perennial, ornamental grass or annual in the parkway of any street that matures at a height over three (3) feet and it shall be unlawful to plant or install any shrub, perenni...
Looking for Cook County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Evanston city rules.
Tree Protection in Cook County →