Cedars Sub-Division Street Tree (Emerald Ash Borer) Replacement Program

The Cedars Homeowner Board members are proud to announce, “The Cedars Sub-Division Street Tree (Emerald Ash Borer) Replacement Program”. We have partnered with the City of Lenexa and Ryan Lawn & Tree to offer some incentives for the program and provide homeowners with support for street tree (Emerald Ash Borer) removal and tree replacement.

We have been in contact with Curt Talken, City of Lenexa - Parks Dept. Landscape Supervisor, about the Lenexa ash tree replacement program and what options the City of Lenexa has for homeowners. See the below information on the Lenexa Street tree replacement program, and what the city will support in the program.

The City of Lenexa is offering this program because of the importance trees provide for a community. This includes improving air quality, increasing property values, reducing storm water runoff, keeping neighborhoods cooler by reducing the heat island affect, provides habitat for wildlife, etc.

See the link for Information about the Emerald Ash Borer: Emerald Ash Borer - City of Lenexa

Below is the link to the City of Lenexa ash tree map; this is an up-to-date map of all ash trees in Lenexa. You can zoom in and find the Cedars Subdivision ash trees. As you can see there are still quite a few ash trees in the Cedars Subdivision. https://www.lenexa.com/government/departments___divisions/parks___recreation/trees/emerald_ash_borer

City of Lenexa Street tree replacement program. The street tree replacement program uses excess funding from the Street Tree Fund to help partially reimburse Lenexa homeowners for the cost of replacing ash street trees.
Lenexa anticipates plenty of funding for the replanting program through 2023 and will reassess funding at the end of this year for 2024. The following are the main requirements to receive the refund:

The refund only applies to ash trees located in the right of way (within 15’ from the street) that have been removed and replanted with an appropriate shade tree.
The replacement tree doesn’t have to be planted in the exact spot as the ash tree removed but must be planted back in the right of way, so it stays a “street tree.”
The replacement tree must be a “shade tree.” Shade trees are varieties that must reach a minimum height of 35’ at maturity, has a more rounded shaped canopy, is not weak wooded and does well in this region or planting zone 6. This includes varieties such as Oaks, Maples, Black Gums, London Planetree, Ginko, Elm, Bald Cypress, etc. Basically, we are looking for trees that get very large in size that will create a canopy over the roadway at some point. Upright or columnar trees and ornamental’s such as redbuds and crabapples will not be eligible for the refund.
Once the planting is completed, residents can email Curt Talken a picture of any receipts associated to planting. Planting expenses include the cost of the tree, contractor labor to plant it if applicable, mulch, staking materials, etc.
Assuming all requirements have been met, a refund of 50% of those costs up to $200 will be mailed to the resident. This refund is per property and not per tree. This is to help as many property owner’s as possible since we have limited funding for this program. Refund does not include tree removal costs.
In addition, if you have previously removed an ash tree located in the right of way, you can still be eligible for a refund if you would like to replant with an appropriate shade tree. We would be glad to work with you and the City of Lenexa to confirm this scenario before you replant.

Lenexa City - Contact information. Landscape Supervisor: Curt Talken, 913-477- 7146, ctalken@lenexa.com

Our other partner is Ryan Lawn & Tree, who does the tree removal, stump grind (grind low enough so you can replant in same spot), and planting of a recommended/approved Street tree.

Tree & Plant Care Services – RYAN Lawn & Tree

Ryan Lawn & Tree will offer 10% discount to do the tree removal (remove & stump grind). Ryan Lawn & Tree also services tree planting (pricing includes Tree, labor, mulch, stake and 1-year warranty).

All you have to do is contact Ryan Lawn & Tree (Jeremy Christiansen and Josh Hudgins) at 913-381- 1505 to request an estimate. You can also request an estimate through the website at “ryanlawn.com”. Just mention “Cedars Tree Replacement Program” for the 10% discount for the tree removal. There is no obligation once you get the estimate.

Feel free to contact the Cedars Homeowner Board members and Monty Tranbarger at 816-564-5631 if you have any questions to the program.

Thanks
Cedars Homeowner Board Members