Tree care · Midwest
Illinois has hot, humid summers, cold and snowy winters, and big changes between seasons. Southern Illinois is a little milder. Towns and suburbs have many mature oaks, maples and other shade trees, and many ash trees have been lost to the emerald ash borer.
Trees that commonly grow or are often planted here. The storm risk is our plain rating for the species as a whole, not an inspection of your tree.
Quercus macrocarpa
Storm risk low
Care and removal notesQuercus alba
Storm risk low
Care and removal notesQuercus rubra
Storm risk medium
Care and removal notesQuercus palustris
Storm risk medium
Care and removal notesAcer saccharinum
Storm risk high
Care and removal notesAcer saccharum
Storm risk low
Care and removal notesAcer rubrum
Storm risk medium
Care and removal notesFraxinus pennsylvanica
Storm risk medium
Care and removal notesPopulus deltoides
Storm risk high
Care and removal notesUlmus americana
Storm risk medium
Care and removal notesGleditsia triacanthos
Storm risk low
Care and removal notesJuglans nigra
Storm risk medium
Care and removal notesSee every species in the tree library.
Widely known concerns in this part of the country. If you see signs, ask a certified arborist or your state extension office. Ranges change, so check your state's official maps.
More in tree pests and diseases.
Severe thunderstorms, tornadoes and strong straight-line winds are most likely from March to August. Ice storms and heavy snow can break limbs from December to February.
Main storm months: March to August for severe storms and tornadoes; December to February for ice and snow
After a storm, stay away from downed lines and call the utility. Call 911 if anyone is in danger. Read what to do after a storm and our storm guides.
Winter, while trees are dormant, is a good time to prune many trees. Oaks are usually pruned in the cold months, because pruning in the growing season can raise the risk of oak wilt. Ask an arborist about local timing.
Each species page lists its own best and worst times. See the month-by-month tree care calendar and when to prune.
Many villages, towns and suburbs regulate parkway trees, and some require a permit to remove trees. Check your village or city ordinance before work begins. This is general information, not legal advice.
Short explanation, not legal advice. Read our plain guide to tree permits.
City rules we checked in Illinois, with links to the official sources. Checked 26 October 2026. Rules change; short explanation, not legal advice.
See tree removal permits by city for every city we checked.
For homeowners
No state tree license found
We found no state-level license just for tree work in Illinois. Pesticide, contractor and city rules can still apply. See the Illinois state rules page for details and official links.
Get two or three written quotes. To find local pros, search Google Maps and read their reviews. Full steps in how to hire a tree service and the hiring checklist.
Own a tree service in Illinois?
Missed-call text-back, lead follow-up, booking and review requests, set up for tree companies.
Nearby states
For tree service owners
Many arborists prune oaks in the cold months, when trees are dormant, because pruning in the growing season can raise the risk of oak wilt. Ask a certified arborist for timing that fits your tree and area.
Dead ash trees get brittle and can drop limbs without warning. Many were lost to the emerald ash borer. Keep people and cars away from it and ask a pro to look at it soon.
Many villages and cities regulate parkway trees, and some require a permit for removals. Check your local ordinance before work starts. This is general information, not legal advice.
We did not find a state-level tree trimming license. Applying pesticides for hire needs a license from the state agriculture department. Check our Illinois license page and your city. This is not legal advice.
Stay away from downed power lines and call the utility. If a tree is in danger of falling, call 911. For cleanup, hire an insured pro and get a written quote.
Ask a certified arborist or your University of Illinois Extension office. They can tell you what is active near you and what to watch for.
No. Lirevon is a remote marketing team for tree service companies. We do not do tree work and we do not list or rank tree companies. To find a local insured pro, search Google Maps, read their reviews and get two or three written quotes.