Tree removal in Chicago, IL

From 2016 through 2025 the National Weather Service logged 3 storm reports near Chicago that mention trees, limbs or branches. The latest are dated August 10, 2020; July 24, 2016; and June 22, 2016. The strongest wind gust recorded in them was 81 mph, estimated by the reporter.

After a storm

Source: NOAA Storm Events

About 1,146,550 households live in Chicago. About a quarter of the homes are detached houses and about half the occupied homes are lived in by their owners. Half the homes were built before 1952. With that many rentals, a tree at a rented home usually goes to the landlord or property manager first; the lease generally says who arranges and pays for tree work.

Before you call

Source: Census ACS 2019–2023

The nearest NOAA climate normals station, about 4 miles from Chicago, averages 97 nights a year with a low at or below 32°F, and 35 at or below 20°F.

Ice, snow and broken limbs

Source: NOAA Climate Normals

Call the electric utility first and treat the line as live. EIA lists 2 electric utilities with service territory in Cook County, among them Commonwealth Edison Co and Village of Winnetka.

A tree on a power line

Source: EIA-861, 2024