Parkway Trees - Maintenance and Care
Parkway Trees
In most residential areas, the land between the street and the sidewalk is known as the parkway. Trees in this area, known as parkway trees, are owned and maintained by the City of Naperville. Trees located on private property (not in the parkway) are not owned or maintained by the City of Naperville.
City Maintenance vs. Homeowner Care
The City is responsible for parkway tree maintenance, including regular trimming, removing dead and dying trees, and addressing emergency or hazardous conditions as needed.
Homeowners are responsible for the basic care of parkway trees. Regular water and proper mulching (see Tree Care section) help promote healthy growth, especially for young or newly planted trees. Homeowners should also monitor their trees for potential issues. If you notice a concern with a parkway tree, please submit a request using the Parkway Tree Request Form.
Submit a parkway tree request form
Residents are also responsible for mowing and maintaining their parkway. If a home is on a corner lot or backs to another roadway, residents are required to mow the parkway on the side or rear of their home, even if the parkway is behind a fence.
Tree Maintenance
Tree Trimming
The City and its contractors regularly trim parkway trees as part of the City’s tree trimming program. Trimming helps promote healthy growth and maintain structurally safe trees. The program operates on a seven-year cycle, meaning each parkway tree is trimmed approximately once every seven years. However, the cycle can take longer due to budgetary and workload constraints. During the trimming cycle, neighborhoods are trimmed together to promote efficiency. Critical maintenance, such as addressing hazards or emergencies, takes precedence over the tree trimming cycle. Learn more about the Tree Trimming Cycle.
Tree Problems
The City takes care of critical maintenance issues that present a hazard to the community. Examples of critical maintenance include:
- Addressing damaged trees or branches
- Trees that have a dead or broken branch (over 2” in diameter) will be removed.
- Correcting visibility issues
- Tree branches that present visibility issues to signs will be trimmed. Additionally, roadways or passageways (sidewalks/driveways) with branches lower than 6 feet from the ground will be trimmed.
- Inspecting unhealthy trees
- Trees that appear to be sick or dying will be inspected to determine the correct course of action.
- Removing dead trees
- Trees that are dead will be marked and scheduled for removal.
If you notice any of these problems with a parkway tree near your property, please submit a parkway tree request form.
Tree Treatment
The City treats some ash trees to protect against Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). If you are curious about tree diseases that are common in the Naperville area, visit The Morton Arboretum's Tree & Plant Diseases webpage.
Tree Care
The following tree maintenance tasks are the responsibility of the homeowner and are essential to maintaining tree health.
Mulching
Mulch helps keep roots cool in summer and warm in winter. It keeps weeds down and helps hold in moisture. A "moat" of mulch also protects urban trees from cuts and nicks caused by lawnmowers and weed whippers. Studies have shown that wood-chip mulch can nearly double the rate of tree growth during the first few years after planting. Mulch even fertilizes as it breaks down. For mulching tips, visit The Morton Arboretum's How to Mulch Shrubs and Trees webpage.
Tree Watering
Applying the proper amount of water is important for a tree’s health. Watering is especially important for newly planted trees and during drought conditions. For watering tips, visit The Morton Arboretum's How and When to Water webpage.
Drought Care
During times of drought, trees need special care and enhanced watering. For tips, visit The Morton Arboretum's Drought Care webpage.