The City of Overland Park began its Ash Tree Removal Program in 2023 to proactively remove and replace ash street trees impacted by emerald ash borer, an invasive beetle that feeds on and kills ash trees.
As part of this program, a City contractor removed 2,400 ash street trees in 12 areas hardest hit by the emerald ash borer last year. The City replanted one tree for every ash street tree removed in this program, with the exception of one neighborhood that will receive its trees this fall.
The second phase of ash street tree removal begins Monday, June 17. More than 20 neighborhoods across Overland Park will receive ash street tree removal and replacement services in this phase.
For this next wave of street tree removal, contractors will mark trees scheduled for removal and place door hangers at individual homes before beginning the work.
If you have made a significant investment to treat your ash street trees, please contact the City Forester via this form to request the City preserve your ash street tree. The City requires documentation showing up to six years or three treatments with trunk injections done by a certified arborist. Please complete this form as soon as possible.
In 2014, around 11,000 ash street trees made up nearly a quarter of our city’s street tree canopy. Before 2023, City forestry staff had been removing ash street trees upon request. Without a large-scale program, it would take over 15 years to address all the trees that will ultimately die.
Find more information on the program, including the removal and replanting process, the list of areas impacted by the program as well as answers to frequently asked questions on the project webpage here.