Chicago Invasive Plant Rules: Tree-of-Heaven Removal Rules (2026)

Tree-of-Heaven Ailanthus altissima is not listed on the Illinois Exotic Weed Act schedule, so private owners are not legally required to remove it. However, the Chicago Bureau of Forestry under MCC 10-32-100 routinely removes it from parkways, public ways, and park district land because of its aggressive root system, weak wood, and role hosting spotted lanternfly egg masses. Chicago's Healthy Forests Plan flags the species for active management. The Illinois Department of Agriculture and University of Illinois Extension recommend cut-and-treat herbicide protocols for property owners. CDPH and Streets and Sanitation may issue weed-ordinance citations under MCC 7-28-120 if a tree-of-heaven creates a public nuisance through limb failure or sucker spread to neighboring property.