The Village of Skokie is a suburb located North of the city of Chicago and it has received the Tree City USA award since 1985. With an estimated 24,000 trees, the Village has a strong tree preservation program. After having to remove a large number of trees due to the Emerald Ash Borer, Skokie started offering free parkway tree planting to interested residential units, businesses, schools, etc. The trees are offered on a first come-first served basis and are planted in areas large enough to sustain them. The applicant does have the obligation to water the tree(s) for a minimum of 2 years.
With the occasion of Arbor Day, in April 2017, Skokie was given the honor of planting 3 Terezin trees that are descended from a seedling planted by children in a Czechoslovakia concentration camp. The project was realized in collaboration with the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center and the Chicago Botanic Garden.
Skokie Tree Removal Permit
To remove a tree located on a Skokie property, you might need to obtain a tree removal permit for all trees that you are planning to remove. All trees located on Village Parkway need a permit before removing them. Trees located on residential and private properties need a tree removal permit if the DBH (Diameter at Breast Height) is equal or greater than 8 inches. These private property trees, also called 'Site Trees' by the Village, need a Tree Survey, Site Plan, Tree Preservation Plan and Final Grading plan along with the removal permit. The contractor performing the work must also hold an insurance policy for $1,000,000 and must name the Village as being co-insured along with the property owner.
The tree removal permit fees can be waived by the Village if:
- the tree is posing an imminent hazard
- the tree has been infected by the Emerald Ash Borer or Dutch Elm Disease
- the tree is dead
For the fees to be waived, the application must be accompanied by a letter from a certified arborist stating one of the reasons above.
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