Parkway Planting: Chicago vs Skokie
How do parkway planting rules compare between Chicago, IL and Skokie, IL?
Chicago and Skokie have similar restriction levels.
Chicago, IL
Cook County
Chicago Bureau of Forestry under MCC 10-32 owns and manages all parkway trees. Residents may not plant on the parkway without permission; approved species come from the Bureau's published list emphasizing salt tolerance, disease resistance, and canopy diversity.
View full Chicago rules →Skokie, IL
Cook County
Cook County Highway Department requires permits for parkway tree planting along county-maintained roads. Suburbs separately license parkway plantings on municipal roads. Selection must follow approved species lists to avoid utility, sight-line, and pavement-conflict problems.
View full Skokie rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Chicago | Skokie |
|---|---|---|
| Code | MCC 10-32-100 | - |
| Owner of parkway trees | City of Chicago | - |
| Free planting program | Our Roots Chicago | - |
| Top species | Kentucky coffeetree, oak | - |
| Stop-sign clearance | 30-foot minimum | - |
| Permit authority | - | Cook Highway Department |
| State statute | - | 605 ILCS 5/9-113 |
| Banned species | - | Norway maple ash callery pear |
| Setback | - | 30 feet from intersections |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Chicago FAQ
Can I plant my own parkway tree?
No. Even with city-approved species, residents cannot self-plant. Request a free tree through 311 or Our Roots Chicago. The Bureau of Forestry plants and tracks every parkway tree for utility coordination and species diversity.
Who waters and maintains parkway trees?
The Bureau of Forestry handles structural pruning and removal, but residents are encouraged to water young parkway trees during dry weeks for the first three years. Adjacent property owners may not top or hard prune.
Skokie FAQ
Can I plant any tree in my parkway strip?
No. County and most suburbs require permits and limit selection to an approved species list. Diversity rules also limit how many of one species cluster on a block.
Who maintains parkway trees?
Most Cook County suburbs assign maintenance to adjacent property owners while retaining tree ownership. Removal still requires municipal forester approval.
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