By Sara Wiercinski
Longtime Red Bridge resident James Bridgeford II likes to ask people if they know the tree population of Kansas City. Few guess the actual number: approximately 249 million. Compare that to the human population of the city: around 600,000.
“In terms of tree population, Kansas City is one of the best in the country,” said Bridgeford, who is also a professional tree trimmer at Franklin Martinez Tree and Lawn Care. He added the city’s trees, especially its iconic oaks, need to be taken care of.
Today Kansas City’s urban forest, composed of oak, maple, elm, hackberry and sycamore trees, covers about 31% of the city.
In 2018, Kansas City commissioned an Urban Forest Master Plan. The report found that without intervention, the canopy cover could drop from 31% to 25% by 2050.
The city adopted the master plan, which called for increasing the forestry budget, enhancing partnerships with businesses and residents, and aggressive maintenance against diseases. In 2023, a $12 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture funded planting 10,000 trees within the city.
City Forester Kevin Lapointe says thanks to the grant, his team now plants more trees than they remove.
“We were able to make some strides these past years,” said Lapointe. “We are more aware of climate change and the need for diversity among tree species. We are also monitoring serious insect threats, like the gypsy moth and Asian longhorn beetle which have not reached this area yet.”
Lapointe also credits a city ordinance requiring developers to preserve existing trees or, when unavoidable, to fund replanting efforts.
Over the next year, the city forestry department will conduct a comprehensive inventory of street trees and identify vacant locations suitable for planting.
The human benefits of trees are numerous, and they increase as trees age. According to the Heartland Tree Alliance, a division of the local nonprofit Bridging the Gap, a single tree can absorb up to 48 pounds of carbon dioxide in a year and can produce oxygen for four people. Trees also help save on cooling costs, harness rainwater and reduce city noise.
While the city provides maintenance on trees planted along right-of-ways, homeowners are responsible for trees in their yards. Through his work, Bridgeford has observed clients trimming their oaks at the wrong time of year.
“There is danger in the spring,” he said. “We have all been pent up in the house and want our trees and lawn to look good.”
Bridgeford also wants homeowners to understand the dangers of oak wilt, a fungal disease that creeps into trees’ open wounds during warm weather.
“Any ethical tree crew will only cut when essential,” said Bridgeford. “And they will seal the cut and sanitize blades so as to not transfer potential disease to other trees.”
Signs of oak wilt are broken branches and leaves falling out of season. Trees can die within a year or two of infection.
“We’re in the last stretch of winter,” said Bridgeford. “If you need to trim your oak, you can have it done over the next few weeks.” Once the weather warms, Bridgeford says only dead limbs should be trimmed. “Nonessential trimming can wait until the following winter.”
Bridgeford says when hiring a tree service, people should look for one that is bonded and insured. They should also have good reviews from past clients and the appropriate equipment. No one should cut from a ladder.
Kansas Citians have local resources to acquire and learn more about trees:
- The City plans to give away 1,000 trees this March in conjunction with Bridging the Gap and the Arbor Day Foundation. Residents can reserve up to two trees.
- Heartland Tree Alliance offers tree education for adults and children, including the Tree Keepers program.
- Homeowners can consult K-State Research and Extension’s list of recommended trees for the Kansas City metro area climate.
“God willing, we all live long and happy lives,” said Bridgeford. “And still we want these trees — our quiet landmarks — to outlive us.