The City of Joliet's Forestry Division within the Department of Public Works oversees heritage tree designations and protections for significant trees on public property. Parkway trees (in the public right-of-way) are city property and receive strong protections. Heritage tree designations may apply to trees of exceptional size, age, or historical significance on city-maintained property.
Joliet's tree protection program is managed by the Forestry Division of the Department of Public Works, which maintains over 80,000 trees and 50 landscape areas throughout the city. Heritage tree protections apply to trees of exceptional age, size, species rarity, or historical significance, primarily on public or parkway property. Only a certified arborist, or workers supervised by an arborist, may prune or remove parkway trees. The city maintains an Approved Tree List for parkway planting. Requests to remove any public tree require review and written determination by the Department of Public Works. Tree service businesses operating in Joliet must obtain a Tree Service Business License. For private property, the city does not currently impose a comprehensive heritage tree ordinance, but trees associated with development projects may be evaluated during site plan review.
Unauthorized removal, pruning, or damage to parkway trees or designated heritage trees on public property may result in fines and required replacement. Tree service companies operating without a license face additional penalties.
Joliet, IL
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Joliet, IL
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Joliet, IL
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Joliet, IL
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See how Joliet's heritage & protected trees rules stack up against other locations.
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