If a tree fell in the Village . . .
"To the rapid traveler, the number of elms in a town is a measure of its civility."
Henry David Thoreau
In their response to the 2025 Survey statement, “Trees are a critical part of the character of Hinsdale and we need to do more in the area of tree management and planting,” ninety-six percent (96%) of Hinsdale residents overwhelmingly agreed about one thing: they want to preserve and protect Village trees (Phase I, I-11). And they are not alone: the very tangible social, economic, and environmental benefits that healthy trees create are leading communities across the nation to develop a long-term strategy that will protect their valuable natural assets. While the current Hinsdale tree protection ordinance is limited to publicly owned trees and contains no requirements regarding trees or shrubs on private property, the State and National trend is for village governments to take a more active approach to maintaining both the public and private resources.
Tree City USA
Hinsdale, a recipient of the Tree City USA designation since 1992, is known and admired for it’s lovely tree-lined streets, impressive parks and well-maintained, shaded yards. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources, which confers the designation in partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation, rewards Illinois communities who take steps to protect trees. Eligibility standards require communities to spend $2 per capita on a community forestry program, to have a tree board or department, to have a tree care ordinance in place, and to officially recognize Arbor Day. Hinsdale residents have long recognized that throughout the Village, trees contribute to the unique character and sought-after quality of life. In addition, trees reduce the effects of air and noise pollution, provide energy-saving shade and cooling, slow erosion and storm water runoff, and thus improve aesthetics and increase property values.
The Community Forest
While each community has its own needs and reasons for conservation and it’s own timeline, studies have shown that the most effective way to protect trees may be to designate and manage them collectively as a “community forest,” so that trees on public property and those that are privately owned will all enjoy the same protection and consideration. A strong and well-managed tree ordinance is one of the tools that communities use to show their commitment to managing the community forest, but for any ordinance to be effective, it is important that it be written as part of a comprehensive forestry program.
Who's gone green?
Many communities adopt tree ordinances when citizens perceive an immediate need to protect trees, such as an increased level of development activity, an infestation that brings disease, or the removal of historic trees. In a study entitled, "Influences of Community Characteristics on Municipal Tree Ordinances In Illinois," Shawn D. Dickerson, John W. Groninger, and Jean C. Mangun, found “significant correlations between ordinance provisions and community characteristics relating to wealth and education. Communities with higher mean income and level of education are more likely to have provisions biased toward the maintenance and protection of existing community trees, while communities where residents are less educated and poorer on average tend to have ordinances focused on community aesthetics and safety through resource improvement.” Indeed, communities on Chicago’s North Shore have ordinances in place that require a permit to take down a tree—and then, only if it is sick or damaged--and insist that any trees removed be replaced by a tree of a prescribed size from a specified list of acceptable varieties. Penalties for disregarding tree protection laws on both public and private property are onerous and strictly enforced.
If a tree fell in Hinsdale would anyone hear it?
In 1992, a Village Tree Board was established to “study, investigate, develop, update and administer a comprehensive plan for the care, preservation, pruning, planting, replanting, removal or disposition of trees and shrubs in parks along streets and in other public areas.” A 1999 Ordinance made specific references to planting, removing and protecting trees and shrubs in the public right of way. There were also restrictions placed on varieties of trees to be planted on public property. In 2004, The Village added a “tree preservation plan” that requires submission to the Village of a tree plan when a home is built or demolished, a detached garage is added, or when 600 square feet or more are added to a structure. The intent of this plan is to address risk to trees on adjacent properties, and to have an arborist specify a method of protection for trees at risk. The plan is required to show any tree 8” in diameter or greater within 15’ of any property line. In addition, an applicant is required to make at least two attempts to contact the adjacent property owners to examine the plans for the project. If trees on an adjacent property are destroyed or damaged during construction, the Village may issue a warning or a citation. In December 2006, Hinsdale hired a forester, John Finnell, who has concentrated primarily on disease control, including Dutch Elm and the impending arrival of the Emerald Ash Borer. The Village does not have a tree preservation ordinance that protects private property at this time.
How to write an ordinance
There is no such thing as a “standard” tree ordinance. Each community has its own conservation needs and must craft an ordinance that is best suited to its unique demographic situation. Some ordinances apply only to street (or parkway) trees, while others apply to all public and privately owned trees. In order for a tree ordinance to effectively manage and protect the existing community forest, experts have developed guidelines for its drafting, and suggest that it may be helpful to look to other communities who have a similar demographic and socioeconomic make-up. Rather than reinvent the wheel Hinsdale can look to three Illinois communities with comprehensive tree preservation plans: Lake Forest, Winnetka, and Homer Glen.
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