Trees & Woodlands Ecology

Image of Riverwoods road in winter photo by Michael Clayton, Village Trustee and Resident

The Village of Riverwoods was born out of an idea by Edward Ryerson to offer residents the experience of living in a unique woodland setting. The woodlands in the Village remain a treasured community asset, requiring their preservation and stewardship. In the spirit of remaining consistent with Ryerson’s vision, the Village has enacted a Tree/Woodland Protection Ordinance  and developed an Ecological Cost-Sharing Program aimed at preserving the woodlands, while assisting residents with stewardship on their property.

Tree/Woodland Protection Ordinance

The Tree/Woodland Protection Ordinance sets limits on how much woodland can be removed from a lot, controls the removal of desirable native trees, and encourages the removal of harmful invasive species.  The ordinance also prohibits removal of any layer of protected woodland for development or landscaping purposes. The Woodland Delineation Map for the Village was completed in 2017 and should be referenced prior to performing any work on your property.  Individual maps at the parcel level can be requested by contacting the Village Hall.  All residents proposing to remove trees or shrubs greater than 1.5 inches in diameter must complete a Tree Removal Permit Application.  No more than 20% of the existing protected woodland (as delineated by the Village) on a lot can be removed.

Ecological Cost-Share Programs

The Village has multiple Ecological Cost-Sharing Programs to help residents assess the health of the woodlands on their property and encourage the implementation of various ecological management strategies, such as canopy thinning, invasive shrub removal, native seeding, native tree/shrub planting, rain gardens, and controlled burns. Visit the Ecological Cost-Share Programs page to learn more.