Oak Lawn, IL Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)
Key Facts
- Banned species
- 10 trees, incl. willow, poplar, ash
- 2008 additions
- Ash, mulberry, Bradford pear (3/1/08)
- Replacement call
- Village forester decides case by case
- Cost share
- 50/50 village-owner parkway tree program
Summary
Oak Lawn bans planting ten invasive or hazardous tree species anywhere in the village, including parkways, and runs a 50/50 cost-share program for replacing parkway trees the village forester takes down.
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 § 9-2-1 bars planting box elder, tree of heaven, thorny hawthorn, soft (silver) maple, poplar, willow, and non-disease-resistant elm anywhere in Oak Lawn; since March 1, 2008 it also bars most ash, mulberry, and 'Bradford' pear. Parkway trees fall under the same ban. When a parkway tree is cut down, § 9-2-8 has the village forester decide whether a replacement fits the spot, based on nearby trees and sound forestry practice. If a replacement is warranted, the abutting property owner can join the village's 50/50 parkway tree program to help fund and plant the new tree, or opt out entirely.
Violations & Fines
Planting a banned species violates § 9-2-1; the department of quality control can order it removed. Declining the 50/50 replacement program under § 9-2-8 carries no fine: it just means the parkway spot stays empty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I plant any species of tree in my Oak Lawn parkway?
Does Oak Lawn automatically replace a parkway tree it removes?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Oak Lawn
Compare Oak Lawn to another location·View the Illinois tree protection overview
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Parkway Planting in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Cook County handle parkway planting.