Forestry
DUTCH ELM DISEASE INSURANCE PROGRAM
The City of Evanston's Parks and Forestry Divisions care for the thousands of trees in our parks, in public areas and on the miles and miles of beautiful parkways. The City regularly performs pruning and other preventative maintenance measures, tests for Dutch elm disease and removes trees, which have become too diseased to save.
However, when Dutch elm disease infects a tree on private property, the homeowner bears the sometimes-staggering costs for removal. Removal costs for diseased elms can range from approximately $1,000 for medium-sized trees to over $3,000 for very large trees.
To ease this potential financial burden, the Evanston Forestry Division is pleased to offer a Private Elm Tree Insurance Program covering removal of elm trees on your property lost to Dutch Elm Disease. If you enroll, you will benefit by not having to pay for removal costs if your elm is found to be infected with Dutch Elm Disease (DED). The insurance is for a one-year period and must be renewed annually prior to the Dutch Elm Disease season.
HOW DOES THE PROGRAM WORK?
The City provides free testing of your insured elm tree if DED symptoms appear. If symptoms evident are 5% or less of the tree, you may choose to try to save your insured tree by having your own tree company cut out the diseased portions. Because of liability issues, City workers may not trim private trees.
If your insured tree is too infected to save and requires removal, the City will handle all aspects and costs of that removal for you. Removal is to “ground level” by a highly qualified, insured Tree Company. Removal of the in-ground stump would be left up to you. If you desire, you may contact your local tree company to have the stump removed.
WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP MY ELM(S) SURVIVE?
To afford your elm(s) a better chance of survival, you might want to consider periodic deadwood pruning through a private company. There is also a preventative trunk injection available that appears to be effective in preventing elms from becoming infected in the first place. Consult your tree company for details and costs for such treatments. The pruning and treatment are beneficial to your trees, but are not required as part of the insurance program described above. The simplest and least expensive way you can help all of your trees is to thoroughly water them once a week during droughts or dry periods.
HOW DO I ENROLL?
To enroll in the Private Elm Tree Insurance program, complete and sign the application form, enclose your check and return both items to the Forestry Division of the City of Evanston. Checks should be made payable to "City of Evanston" and must be received by Friday, May 30, 2008. Your elm tree must be enrolled by this date in order to qualify for this insurance. It is not possible to insure your tree after the deadline.
City employees can assist you with identifying and measuring any elms on your property. Charges range from$60.00 to $140 per tree per year. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call. The office number is 847.866.2912.
APPLICATION
Applications will be available for pick-up from the Civic Center Lobby starting March 3, 2008. Residents may also call the Forestry Division at 847.866.2912 and ask that an application be mailed.
2008 Dutch Elm Insurance application form (.pdf)
Print it out, complete it, and mail it with your check to:
Parks/Forestry Division
City of Evanston
2100 Ridge Avenue
Evanston, IL 60201
PARKS/FORESTRY & REC 
Forestry
Dutch Elm Insurance