Taylor-Made Homefront: Trees are great neighbors…until they aren’t

By Chad Taylor, the Taylor-Made Team

Many of the neighborhoods that people love most in Johnson County have one thing in common: huge mature trees.

Drive through Prairie Village, Fairway, Mission Hills, or old Leawood and it is obvious why buyers are drawn to these areas. The towering trees create character, shade, privacy, and beauty that newer neighborhoods simply cannot replicate overnight.

But there is something homeowners need to understand about mature trees.

They are not a “set it and forget it” feature of your property.

In fact, many of the trees in our older neighborhoods are now 50, 60, or even 100 years old. And just like older homes need more consistent care as they age, older trees do too.

Unfortunately, many homeowners ignore them until there is a problem.

Usually a very expensive one.

A large limb falls on a roof during a storm. A branch crushes a car in the driveway. A tree damages siding or scrapes shingles because it has grown too close to the home. Sometimes entire trees come down and take power lines with them, causing outages for multiple homes.

And here is the uncomfortable part.

Most of the time, there were warning signs beforehand.

According to arborists, mature trees should be inspected regularly and pruned every few years depending on the species and condition.

Deadwooding, which is the removal of dead or weakened branches, is especially important as trees age.

This may sound a bit controversial, but I believe tree maintenance is part of being a responsible homeowner. Not only for your own property, but for your neighbors’ property as well.

A neglected tree does not just affect the person who owns it.

It can affect everyone around it.

The good news is that homeowners do not need to become tree experts overnight. But there are a few warning signs worth paying attention to.

Large dead limbs hanging over a driveway or roof are an obvious one. Cracks or splits in major branches can also indicate structural weakness. Mushrooms or fungal growth near the base of a tree may suggest decay. Trees that suddenly begin leaning after storms or heavy rain should never be ignored.

Another common issue in Johnson County is trees growing directly against homes. While it may look charming, branches rubbing against siding and roofing materials can slowly create damage over time. Trees hanging over roofs also trap moisture and debris, which can shorten the lifespan of shingles.

And then there is the opposite problem.

Some homeowners over-prune or “top” their trees, essentially butchering them in the name of maintenance. In many cases, that actually weakens the tree and creates more long-term risk.

This is one area where hiring a qualified arborist matters.

Healthy mature trees are one of the greatest assets a property can have. They add beauty, shade, and value to a home. In many neighborhoods, they are part of the reason people want to live there in the first place.

But mature trees require stewardship.

And proper maintenance is almost always cheaper than emergency tree removal, roof repairs, or explaining to your neighbor why half of your oak tree is currently sitting in their living room.

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