Chicago, IL · tree trimming
Tree trimming in Chicago
In Chicago, the parkway tree between the sidewalk and curb is city property: request trimming through 311 and the Bureau of Forestry handles it. Trees in your yard are yours to prune, and the usual jobs are silver maples and Callery pears over garages, alleys and service drops. Late winter is a good time for structural pruning; lines along the alley are ComEd's.
Chicago at a glance
- Parkway trees
- City-owned; request trimming via 311
- Yard trees
- Owner prunes; no city permit
- Common jobs
- Silver maples and pears over garages and alleys
- Lines
- ComEd; don't let a regular crew work near energized lines
Reviewed and updated
Parkway or backyard: who trims it
Chicago's Bureau of Forestry maintains parkway trees, including trimming, and residents request service through 311. Don't hire a company to prune a parkway tree. Trees on your own lot, front yard, backyard or along the alley inside your lot line, are yours to maintain, and pruning them doesn't need a city permit.
Pruning over garages, alleys and service drops
Chicago's 25-foot lots put backyard trees between the house and a detached garage on the alley, with overhead lines along the alley and a service drop to the house. Silver maples grow big and brittle and drop limbs onto garage roofs; Callery pears split at narrow forks under snow and ice. Good pruning reduces long limbs over the garage, removes deadwood, and keeps branches off the service drop.
Most crews work from the alley with a lift. Tell the company about alley width, overhead lines and where they can park.
A Chicago backyard pruning job
- 1
Set the objective
Agree on what the pruning is for (safety, clearance, light, or structure) and roughly how much will be removed.
- 2
Access
Climbers use ropes and saddles; bucket trucks work where they can reach. Spikes shouldn't be used on trees that are staying.
- 3
Make proper cuts
Cuts are made just outside the branch collar. Large limbs are removed with a three-cut method so bark doesn't tear.
- 4
Clean up
Brush is chipped and hauled, and the yard is raked. Chips are often left on request as mulch.
Linden and honeylocust: the replacement trees
Littleleaf lindens line many older Chicago blocks, and honeylocust is the city's most common replacement parkway tree. Both respond well to routine pruning: clearing branches over the sidewalk and street, removing deadwood and keeping limbs off houses. Those are city jobs on parkway trees; the same species in your yard are yours.
When to trim in Chicago
Late winter, before leaf-out, is the best time for structural pruning: crews can see the branch structure, the ground is often frozen, and storm season is months away. Avoid pruning oaks in spring and early summer, when oak wilt can spread through fresh wounds. Deadwood can come out any time.
When trimming isn't enough in Chicago
For trees past the point where pruning helps.
For dead ash and declining maples.
For limbs already on the garage or lines.
After a removal.
Callery pears and weak forks
Callery pears were planted widely on Chicago parkways and in yards because they flower and grow fast. As they mature, their narrow, tight forks split in wind, snow and ice. Pruning young pears to a single leader helps; for mature pears with splits starting, removal and replacement with a sturdier tree like honeylocust or linden is usually better.
Chicago tree trimming questions
Can I hire someone to trim the parkway tree in front of my Chicago house?
No. Parkway trees are city property; request trimming through 311 and the Bureau of Forestry handles it.
Do I need a permit to trim trees in my Chicago backyard?
No city permit is needed to prune trees on your own lot.
When is the best time to trim trees in Chicago?
Late winter before leaf-out for structural pruning. Avoid pruning oaks in spring and early summer because of oak wilt.
Should I trim or remove a big silver maple over my garage?
Reducing long, heavy limbs often helps, but a silver maple with decay or large dead limbs over the garage may be better removed.
Who trims branches near the lines in my alley?
ComEd or its contractors for the main lines. Ask ComEd about the service drop before anyone cuts near it.
Can a crew work from the alley?
Usually. Most backyard pruning in Chicago is done from the alley with a lift.
How much does tree trimming cost in Chicago?
It depends on tree size, alley access, lines and how much is removed. See the tree trimming cost guide.
Who trims trees near me in Chicago?
Insured tree services with arborists. You can call us to reach an independent provider in Chicago.
Sources for the local facts on this page
- Chicago 311: Tree removal and trimming (checked 2026-10-03)
- City of Chicago: Bureau of Forestry (checked 2026-10-03)
Tree trimming in Chicago
Call to speak with a local tree-service provider about removal, trimming, stumps or storm damage. Describe the tree and what it's near, and they'll explain the next step.