Berwyn, IL Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)

Section 1028.04 of the Berwyn Code of Ordinances puts the removal duty on the owner of a lot or parcel. The owner must remove trees that overhang a sidewalk, street, alley or public highway, and all dead, decayed or broken limbs or branches over those spaces. For a diseased or dead tree, the owner can remove it so it does not become a hazard to life and property or a threat to other trees in the city. The city starts the process by notifying the owner of the tree in writing. Removal is at the owner's expense, within a reasonable amount of time that depends on the condition of the tree and is stated in the notice. If the owner ignores the notice, the city can have the tree removed and charge the cost to the owner.

A tree along a state or county highway has an extra step under § 1028.04(B). Before the permit to remove it is issued, the Director of Public Works must give the city's consent, the application for consent goes to the Director, and Council must approve it before the permit issues.

Trees on city land are protected. Section 1028.10 says no person can remove, destroy, deface or trim any tree growing in a parkway or on other city property, and § 1028.18(D)(1) makes it unlawful to remove or injure any tree on public property without first obtaining a Tree Permit from the City of Berwyn. Anyone in the business of pruning, treating or removing street trees or park trees needs an annual license under § 1028.17. A permit under the chapter must describe the work and expires 60 days after issuance (§ 1028.16), and stumps must be taken out below ground level (§ 1028.06).

Chapter 1030 covers parkway trees the city removes. Under § 1030.01 the city removes a dead parkway tree and plants a new one at no charge to the premises owner once the Director of Public Works and other designated employees certify it dead. Under § 1030.02 a line tree that has substantially damaged the sewer line can be removed only after every possible root remedy has been reasonably applied, and the cost of removal, replacement and planting is split equally between the owner and the city.