Oak Lawn, IL Invasive Plant Rules: Tree-of-Heaven Removal (2026)
Key Facts
- 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
Summary
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.
No person shall plant or cause to be planted in the village any of the following trees: 1. Box elder (Acer negundo); 2. Tree of heaven (Ailanthus); 3. Any species of hawthorn containing thorns; 4. Soft (silver) maple (Acer saccharinum); 5. Any variety of poplar (Populus); 6. Any variety of willow (Salix); or 7. Elm (not disease resistant).
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-15: Code current through: Ord. 26-09-22, passed April 28, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Village Code section 9-2-1(A) prohibits planting several tree species within Oak Lawn, naming "Tree of heaven (Ailanthus)" second on the list, alongside box elder, thorned hawthorn, soft maple, poplar, willow and non-disease-resistant elm. A 2008 amendment added ash, mulberry and Bradford pear to a second, later-dated list. The rule targets planting, not existing trees, and applies village-wide inside Oak Lawn's corporate limits.
Violations & Fines
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I plant a tree of heaven in Oak Lawn?
Does Oak Lawn require removal of existing tree of heaven?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Oak Lawn
Compare Oak Lawn to another location·View the Illinois invasive plant rules overview
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