What counts as the parkway
Joliet defines the parkway as the grassy strip between the sidewalk and the curb. No sidewalk on your street? Then a City foreman or arborist has to come out and decide whether the tree sits in the easement (Joliet Forestry). The City says it has over 1,000 miles of parkway, and the trees on it are maintained by the Forestry Division (Joliet Roadways).
Everything else is private. The City doesn't remove trees on private property, and it treats alleys as private too (Joliet Forestry). If the trunk is in your yard or your alley, it's your tree and your bill. That's when you hire a tree removal crew.
Dead or dying parkway tree
- It's the City's job. A dead or dying parkway tree is City property, and removing it is the City's responsibility. Report it at 815-724-3650 (Joliet Forestry FAQ).
- Don't hire it out. Only a certified arborist, or workers supervised by one, may prune or remove a parkway tree. The City asks residents to call Forestry if they see parkway work going on without an arborist directing it (same page).
- Painted number on the trunk? That number is the tree's circumference, and it means the tree is on the Forestry removal list. The paint color means nothing, and the tree stays on the list even after the paint wears off (same page).
- Expect a wait. The City says removal of a marked tree may not happen for five to seven years because so many trees are infected (same page).
- Unmarked dead tree? Call Forestry at 815-724-4046 or the City Hall information desk at 815-724-4000 (same page).
Stumps and replanting
After a parkway removal, the City schedules the stump to be ground about a month later, weather permitting. The crew leaves the chips in the hole as fill and doesn't come back with dirt, seed or sod. That part is on the resident (Joliet Forestry FAQ). There's no reason to pay for stump grinding on a City stump.
Want a new parkway tree? You have to submit the City's "Requesting a New Tree to Be Planted" form to get on the replant list. Not everyone gets one. The City Arborist can say no if there isn't room, or if a tree would block sight lines to intersections, street signs, utility lines, mailboxes or hydrants. The new tree won't go in the old spot, because the old roots are still there (same page).
Watering
Residents are required to water a newly planted parkway tree at least 5 minutes every other day. The City won't replace one that dies from lack of water (source).
Planting your own
A permit is required if you plant a parkway tree yourself, so the City can track species (same page).
Parkway ash
The City isn't treating parkway ash. You may treat one, but you must give the City proof of the work and who's doing it, and consult the City Arborist first (same page).
Low branches and pruning
Forestry prunes parkway trees from time to time to lift low branches that get in the way of people and traffic, and to clear sight lines at intersections and signs like stop signs. Roadways works with Forestry on this because low limbs get in the way of street sweepers and snowplows (Joliet Roadways). If a parkway limb is hanging over your drive, that's a call to the City, not a trimming job you pay for.
After a storm
Joliet splits storms into two kinds (Joliet Roadways):
- Minor storm. Roadways picks up limbs that fall from parkway trees only. If a private tree drops limbs across the street or an alley, Roadways clears them off the right of way, but it never removes debris from private property. Don't drag your own limbs onto the parkway or into the street; the City says local ordinance prohibits it and you could be fined. Cut them into pieces no longer than 4 feet, no heavier than 50 pounds and no thicker than 3 inches, and bundle them for Waste Management's yard-waste pickup on your regular garbage day.
- Major storm. For big wind damage, up to and including tornadoes, the City declares an Emergency Event and announces it in press releases. Only then may residents move private tree debris to the parkway for City pickup, and only for a set number of days. After that, it's back to bundles.
Hanging or downed limb from a storm? The City lists Forestry at 815-724-4046 and Roadways at 815-724-3650 (same page). For a tree on your house or a whole tree down in the yard, see storm damage in Joliet.
Before anyone digs or cuts
The City tells residents to call J.U.L.I.E. at 811 before removing a tree or digging, and to call ComEd at 800-334-7661 if a tree near utility poles or power lines needs trimming or removal (Joliet Forestry).
Bottom line: curb side of the sidewalk, call the City. House side, it's yours. Unsure, ask the City before paying anyone.
Sources
Checked Nov. 2, 2026. If a City rule has changed since, the City’s page wins.