Cook County, IL Tree Protection: Protected Tree Species (2026)
Key Facts
- Authority
- Cook County Highway Department
- Applies to
- County-controlled roads, not Chicago
- Trigger
- Utility tree-trimming permit work
- Required measures
- Higher poles, side-arm extensions, covered wire
- Penalty
- Permit cancellation for poor pruning
Summary
On County-controlled roads outside Chicago, the Highway Department can force utility crews to use higher poles, side-arm extensions or covered wire to protect specimen trees or trees of special significance during trimming permits.
The County may require that special measures be taken to preserve specimen trees or trees of special significance. The required measures may consist of higher poles, side arm extensions, covered wire or other means that may necessitate work requiring additional permits for construction or repair.
Full Breakdown
Cook County's Public Way Regulatory Ordinance requires a tree-trimming permit for any tree trimming within a County-controlled public way, and that ordinance excludes public ways located inside the City of Chicago. Under Section 66-68(b), the Highway Department can require special measures to preserve specimen trees or trees of special significance before utility work proceeds: higher poles, side-arm extensions, covered wire, or other accommodations that can trigger additional construction or repair permits. Section 66-68(a) also lets the County demand removal and replacement of any tree left in unacceptable condition by trimming or radical pruning, and Section 66-68(c) makes poor pruning practices that damage or misshape trees grounds for permit cancellation and penalties.
Violations & Fines
Trimming or removing a specimen tree without a Highway Department permit, or damaging one through poor pruning, is grounds for permit cancellation, mandatory tree removal and replacement, and County penalties under Section 66-68.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this protect trees on private property?
Does the rule apply inside Chicago?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cook County
Compare Cook County to another location·View the Illinois tree protection overview
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