Street Tree Trimming & Maintenance
For Frequently Asked Questions regarding street trees, see the FAQs section of the website.
Street trees are trees that were originally planted by the Homes Association within the city street right-of-way (about 12 feet from the curb). While the street trees were planted by the association, they are ultimately the homeowner's responsibility. The Homes Association dues support a rigorous program that helps to maintain a healthy and attractive neighborhood tree population. This also includes the maintenance of lawns and shrubs in the right-of-way where monuments are located.
Trees are an important part of our community's overall environment. Examples of how street trees provide services to our community include:
- Street trees improve air quality by absorbing carbon dioxide, filtering out pollutants and providing oxygen.
- Street trees preserve and enhance the physical and aesthetic environment, buffer noise, and provide attractive screening/privacy.
- Street trees reduce energy consumption, by shading roofs and streetscapes.
- Street trees absorb and intercept stormwater and help to reduce flooding and erosion.
- Street trees provide habitat for wildlife and food for birds and insects.
Leawood Estates Homes Association contracts with a certified and insured professional Arborist company to systematically prune/trim our ~4,000 street trees every four years by dividing the tree population into four Zones 1, 2, 3, & 4 (see below)…trimming one zone each year. Generally tree trimming occurs when the leaves are out so that the dead or diseased limbs and branches can be more easily detected. Some trees however, have to be trimmed at specific time periods to reduce the risk of diseases or insects such as Oak Wilt and Emerald Ash Borer. Limbs and branches are raised approximately 15 feet above the street (to provide clearance for commercial trucks, fire & emergency trucks, and other high-profile vehicles).
The Homes Association tree maintenance program also includes the removal of dead, dangerous or diseased trees (including stump grinding) as well as replacement tree planting where appropriate. We endeavor to follow City of Leawood street tree placement ordinances when planting new trees. Preventative treatments for specific ash trees to prevent Emerald Ash Borer related death/decline is also included in our program.
If your street tree is dead/dying or has dangerous large dead or hanging/broken limbs, please notify us so that we can make arrangements for their removal. If the Homes Association plants a replacement tree, please help us keep our neighborhood beautiful by watering newly planted trees for the first few years to improve their survival chances! (see below recommendations for taking care of your newly planted trees)
Zone 1 will be trimmed in the fall/winter of 2025
Zone 2 will be trimmed in the fall/winter of 2026
Zone 3 will be trimmed in the fall/winter of 2023
Zone 4 will be trimmed in the fall/winter of 2024
Recommended Street Trees:
| Large | Medium |
| White Oak | Crabapple |
| Red Oak | Amur Maple |
| Bur Oak | Trident Maple |
| Silver Linden | Paperbark Maple |
| Norway Maple | Ironwood |
| Sugar Maple | Golden Raintree |
| Red Maple | Merlot Bird Cherry |
| Zelkova | Japanese Tree Lilac |
| Honey Locust | Thornless Hawthorn |
| Ginko |
Taking Care of Your Newly Planted Trees:
- Watering your newly planted trees is critical during the next 1-3 years as they get established …especially during the hot dry summer months. Newly planted young trees need approximately 10-15 gallons of water per week during the growing season. This can be any combination of rain, sprinkler or manual hose watering. Consistent moisture is essential in supporting root water absorption, surviving drought stress and reducing vulnerability to diseases and insect infestations as well as branch die back. But don’t over water as too much water can drown the trees root system.
- Installing mulch around the base of your newly planted tree is highly recommended. Mulching offers many benefits including: holding soil moisture, decreasing soil compaction, controlling weeds, buffering soil temperatures and reducing damage from lawn mowers. Spread mulch to a diameter of at least 3’ to a depth of 2-4”.
- Fertilizing is not recommended for newly planted trees during the initial 1-3 year establishment period. After that trees can be fertilized in the late fall or early spring to promote their overall health and growth. Use a fertilizer formulated for trees.
- Pruning should be limited to removing broken, crossing branches during the establishment period.
- Remove support stakes and wiring around the tree after 1-2 years. Leaving the wire on the newly planted trees could lead to “girdling” the tree trunk and ultimately deformity or premature death.