Wilmette, Illinois
Tree Removal and Tree Service in Wilmette
Wilmette's tree ordinance, in effect since April 1, 2022, protects heritage trees: oaks and hickories 10 inches or more in diameter, and any tree 20 inches or more. Removing one means planting replacements or paying the village a set amount per inch, and side-yard heritage trees can only come out if the village forester finds they would not survive construction.
- County
- Cook
- Tree rules
- Village of Wilmette tree preservation ordinance (effective April 1, 2022)
- Key local rule
- Heritage trees: oak and hickory from 10 inches, all trees from 20 inches; replacement or per-inch payment
- Electric utility
- ComEd
- Main hazards
- Oak wilt, emerald ash borer, summer storms, teardown construction
What is a heritage tree in Wilmette?
An oak or hickory with a trunk 10 inches or more in diameter, or any tree 20 inches or more. Removing a heritage tree requires replacement planting or a payment to the village calculated per inch of the removed tree. The ordinance's charges were proposed to be waived for dead, dying or decaying trees.
- Oak and hickory
- Heritage from 10 inches.
- Any species
- Heritage from 20 inches.
- Side yards
- Removal only if the tree would not survive construction.
The 2022 ordinance
The village board adopted the ordinance in March 2022 after a long debate, replacing a 2007 policy that trustees said was not working. Its two goals were to reduce unnecessary removals and ensure enough replacement trees were planted. The board split on the per-inch amount, and the village president broke the tie.
The 2007 rules had required a permit to remove any tree with a trunk more than 10 inches thick. Evanston's later ordinance drew on Wilmette's model.
Oaks on the ridge
Wilmette sits on the old shoreline ridges of Lake Michigan, where bur, white and red oaks grew in open savanna before the village was built. Many of those oaks remain in yards and along streets, some older than the houses. Hickories grow with them.
Teardowns of older houses and construction of larger new ones were the main reason the board strengthened protection. Oak roots spread far beyond the drip line, and construction often kills an oak years after the work ends.
Oak wilt is present on the North Shore. Avoid pruning oaks in spring and early summer, and paint wounds right away.
North Shore oak warning signs
Red oak leaves wilting in summer
Possible oak wilt.
Oaks declining after nearby construction
Root damage.
Dead ash
Emerald ash borer.
Large limbs over houses
Storm risk.
Removing a heritage tree in Wilmette
Measure and identify
Oak or hickory from 10 inches, others from 20.
Check the location
Side-yard rules are stricter.
Apply to the village
With the reason and condition.
Replace or pay
Per the ordinance.
The 2007 policy and the 2022 ordinance
2007 policy
- Permit for trees over 10 inches
- Replacement rules seen as too weak
- Board found it was not slowing canopy loss
2022 ordinance
- Heritage oaks and hickories from 10 inches, all trees from 20
- Replacement or per-inch payment
- Side-yard protection during construction
If you removed trees under the old policy, check the current rules before planning another removal.
Wilmette tree questions
Do I need a permit to remove a 15-inch maple in Wilmette?
A 15-inch maple is below the 20-inch heritage size for non-oak species. Check whether other village rules apply to your project.
Are dead trees exempt from the per-inch payment?
Charges were set to be waived for dead, dying or decaying trees. Confirm with the village.
Who decides on side-yard trees during construction?
The village forester or tree preservation officer.
Does Evanston have the same rule?
Evanston adopted its own ordinance in 2023, drawing on Wilmette's approach.
When is the best time to prune oaks in Wilmette?
Late fall and winter, outside the spring and early summer oak wilt risk period.
Who reviews a heritage tree removal in Wilmette?
The village forester or tree preservation officer reviews applications and confirms the tree's size, species and condition.
Are parkway trees covered by the ordinance?
Parkway trees are village trees managed by public works, and residents should not remove or prune them.
Reach a tree service in Wilmette
Call to be connected with an independent tree company that works in the Wilmette area, or leave your number and one will call you back.
(844) 955-1716Call availability varies by area and time of day
Limbwright is a referral service. Your call goes to an independent tree service company that sets its own schedule and terms. Ask for proof of insurance and a written scope before work starts. How this works
Call now
Talk to a tree service provider in your area. Have the tree's location and what it is near ready.
(844) 955-1716Call nowCall availability varies by area and time of day