Architectural Control Improvement 
Planting Requirements 

Warning! Planting or improving the common area must be approved by Green Trails Improvement Association Board of Directors. 

Don't plant that tree, flower or erect that fence before reading these guidelines. Anything not approved can and will be removed.

The common area belongs to all of us and the rules and guidelines have been developed to protect our pathways from the damage caused by mature tree roots and our citizens from shrubs with barbs.

Other guidelines are developed to aid and facilitate mowing. All of us are paying the price of any violation in terms of restricting the use of common areas, repairing damaged pathways or causing delays in mowing.

The following are guidelines for planting or improving on the common area.  Before anything is done, a homeowner must obtain written approval of the GTIA.  Forms are available from JRM Properties, Inc. (630-961-7456) or online in a PDF file (click here to get the free updated Adobe Acrobat Reader). Your application will be processed as quickly as possible providing all information is correct.

1. No man-made objects of any kind such as fences, raised timber planters, play equipment, sandboxes, dog-runs, etc., will be allowed.

2. No vegetable or flower gardens or fruit trees will be allowed in the common area.

3. No hedges or hedge type bushes will be allowed.

4. All shade and ornamental trees must be placed a minimum of 8-10 feet from the trail.

5. All multiple low profile shrubs, plantings and low-branched ornamental trees must be placed in a planting bed, which must be kept to a minimum.       

6. All planting beds must be covered with an organic type mulch such as shredded bark.

7. Decorative rocks, gravel, bark chunks and other bulky substances shall not be used due to possible danger to persons and/or property when scattered and thrown by mowers.  The use of boulders and large landscaping rocks is prohibited.

8. Native wildflowers and ground covers are recommended in all bed areas for erosion control (provided the planting area is no larger than 15% of the available common area behind your home).

9. Screen utility boxes but don't forget to leave access.

10. Sodding up to the trail will be allowed and encouraged.

11. Keep all trees a minimum of 15-20 feet from each other; multiple trees may not be contained within a planting bed.

12. Don't place plantings in those areas where they might limit the "recreational usage" of or access to the common area or which will restrict mowing.

13. The improvement shall be done in such a manner that it does not enclose the common area to your property.

14. No grading, cutting, filling, stockpiling or alteration of any grade shall be permitted anywhere within the common area unless specifically approved by the board.

15. Any grading change will require a grading permit from the Village of Lisle.