Forestry
DUTCH ELM DISEASE INSURANCE PROGRAM
2010 Dutch Elm Disease Insurance Application
In 2008, the City of Evanston marked a major milestone by being designated as a Tree City USA for the twenty-fifth consecutive year.
Part of the reason we have been able to achieve this recognition is our aggressive pursuit in controlling the spread of Dutch Elm Disease. Without any control measures, this disease is capable of wiping out every American Elm tree in Evanston within a ten- to twelve-year period.
Starting in early June of each year, employees of the Parks/Forestry Division conduct regular inspections of all Elm trees on both public and private property, looking for symptoms of Dutch Elm Disease. Once an Elm tree is diagnosed with Dutch Elm Disease, City of Evanston ordinance requires removal of the tree within 30 days.
If the diseased tree is located on private property, the property owner must bear the cost of removal. This cost can range from approximately $1,000 for medium-sized trees, to over $4,000 for very large trees. In order to avoid these unexpected costs, the City’s Parks/Forestry Division offers Dutch Elm Disease insurance to all Evanston property owners. This annual insurance covers only the tree removal costs if the tree becomes infected with Dutch Elm Disease, and is only for a one-year period.
HOW DOES THE PROGRAM WORK?
The City provides free testing of your insured elm tree if DED symptoms appear. If symptoms are evident in 5% or less of the tree's canopy, 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 (click on the link to the PDF file at the top of this page), enclose your check and return both items to the Parks/Forestry Division of the City of Evanston. Checks should be made payable to "City of Evanston" and applications and premiums must be received no later than June 1 each year. 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. Insurance charges range from $60 to $140 per tree per year. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call the Parks/Forestry office at 847.866.2912.
APPLICATION
A link to the insurance application is located at the top of this page. Printed copies are available at the Lorraine H. Morton Civic Center, 2100 Ridge Avenue, or you may call the Parks/Forestry Division at 847.866.2912 and ask that an application be sent to you.
Once completed, the form should be mailed or dropped off with a check to:
Parks/Forestry Division
City of Evanston
2100 Ridge Avenue
Evanston, IL 60201
PARKS/FORESTRY & REC 
Forestry
Dutch Elm Insurance