HOA Approval of Tree Planting on Association Property

[labfm]

My question involves a homeowner's association in the state of: Illinois

All,

I am part of a very small HOA (15 or so homes on one street). On one side of the street, the houses face a public road while the other side faces a lake. There are only about 3-4 homes that have complete visibility/no privacy from the public road; all other houses have numerous large trees on association property or are facing the lake.

I happen to live in one of those 3-4 homes with absolutely no privacy. In the last HOA meeting, I asked the board whether the HOA has plans to install some large trees to help with the privacy issue. I was told no. I then asked what if I purchased the trees to plant on association property. I was told they'd "think about it" and will have to approve it. The board comprises of 3 people.

Now, before you ask, the reason why I can't plant the trees in my property is because of easements. The yard is already small (long but narrow) and what little space there is, there is an easement there.

I am meeting with them today and am planning for the worst, which is, they say no, they will not approve. Preliminary discussions with them seem to indicate that I should expect a no. The trees I am looking to buy are all native trees and the EXACT species that are currently planted behind other owners' homes.

(1) If I get a no response, do I have any recourse at all?
(2) I am planning on writing a petition and going over to each homeowner to sign saying they have a no problem with me buying the trees and planting them. If I get a majority of signatures (which I expect since most of the homeowners here don't really care; it only seems like 2 of the 3 people on the board have some control issues), can i do anything with that to force them to approve my proposal?

[Mr. Knowitall]

What happened?

Your recourse falls under the bylaws, community rules, and any applicable easements (not that I would expect that there's an easement relevant to your situation). You have no inherent right to plant any vegetation on association property.