As Americans, we place significance on trees, often naming streets after them -- Oak St., Elm St., Cherry Lane, Maple Ave., Cypress Blvd., Sycamore Dr., and so many more.

I've always wanted to live on Sycamore Dr. It just sounds so lovely and quaint. I picture kids riding bicycles down the sycamore tree-lined street, hopscotch and baseball games, neighborhood cookouts, and warm, cozy homes. I never imagined a tree crashing onto a house or a falling branch, whacking a kid off his bicycle.

But when torrential rain saturates the ground, gusting winds force the branches to sway back and forth, or when ice and snow send the limbs sagging, Do you worry, and run to the center of the house whenever you hear a loud crack thinking, "Who is next"? 

How do we know if our birch, elms, maples, oaks, willows, sycamores, Bradford's, ashes, and other urban trees that beautify our urban Kansas City landscape throughout the seasons, will safely co-exist with pedestrians and our property when the weather rages?

In Kansas City, warm summer days are the best time to relax in the backyard and enjoy summer activities, like a BBQ with the family. It is essential to prepare your trees for the summer to keep the landscape healthy and your property/family safe.

The best time to prune or trim trees and shrubs is late winter when they’re in a dormant state. Pruning during the dormant season is optimal because: The wounds heal much faster, keeping the plant strong and vibrant. There is also less risk of disease or pest infestation because there is less sap flowing.

It turns out money does grow on trees. Well, sorta. Studies show that trees can increase a home's total value by as much as 15%. Plus, trees can save you money on utilities, improve your quality of life, provide privacy, noise control and much more. Planting trees are one of the few home improvements you can make that not only adds value immediately but also increases in value as the years go by; while interior decor and design concepts regularly go out of style and mechanical systems wear down, plants grow fuller and more robust as the years go by.

What You Need To Know About Oak Wilt in Kansas City

Winter was brutal this year, with a snow days for 5 consecutive weeks! All that heavy snow and ice we experienced caused some damage to our beautiful lush Kansas City trees. The weaker trees in your yard tend to suffer the worst damage as a result of a winter filled with snow and ice.

Spring Tree Inspection & What You Want To Look For

Spring is right around the corner, or at least we think it is! Inspecting your trees for winter damage in the early spring will allow you to dodge storm season without any damage and to reap the full benefits of the growing season!

The past winter storms and the current strong winds can cause a ton of damage to your trees and have the potential to become a hazard to your home or pedestrians. Before spring arrives, we suggest scheduling a spring tree inspection to ensure that your trees are in tip-top shape for the growing and storm season. 

If you're a do-it-yourselfer, then download our Spring Tree Care Guide for Kansas City! Otherwise, read below!