Wichita, KS · Sedgwick County
Tree removal in Wichita
Wichita's tree emergencies come from ice and Plains wind. The December 10–11, 2007 ice storm coated the area with heavy ice and was the costliest in Kansas history. Pine wilt has killed many Scots and Austrian pines, which should be removed and destroyed before spring. Evergy generally prunes for at least 10 feet of clearance around its lines.
The 2007 ice storm brought 1 to 2 inches of ice across much of Kansas, breaking trees, lines and poles. Wichita's silver maples, Siberian elms and Bradford pears broke first. Spring and summer storms bring hail, straight-line winds and tornadoes across the open Plains, so wind is a constant factor in Wichita tree care.
Pine wilt is the quieter killer. Spread by the pine sawyer beetle, it turns Scots and Austrian pines brown within weeks. Dead pines should be removed and the wood destroyed before beetles emerge in spring, and replaced with species pine wilt doesn't affect.
Reviewed and updated
Ice, pine wilt and Plains wind
Ice storms
December 2007's storm was the costliest in Kansas history.
Pine wilt
Kills Scots and Austrian pines; remove before spring.
Plains wind and hail
Straight-line winds, hail and tornadoes in spring and summer.
Brittle shade trees
Silver maples, Siberian elms and Bradford pears fail first.
Line clearance and pine wilt guidance
- Evergy generally prunes to provide at least 10 feet of clearance around its lines.
- The Kansas Forest Service and K-State Research and Extension advise removing pine-wilt-killed pines and destroying the wood before beetles emerge.
Sources (checked 2026-10-03)
Rules change and details depend on your exact property. Confirm with the city or county before work starts. This isn't legal advice.
Pines, maples, elms and natives
- Scots and Austrian pine
- Pine wilt; replace
- Silver maple
- Brittle; ice breakage
- Siberian elm
- Weak-wooded and weedy
- Bur oak and hackberry
- Tough natives
- Cottonwood
- State tree; huge limbs
College Hill to the newer subdivisions
Wichita's older neighborhoods like College Hill and Riverside have mature shade trees close to houses and lines; newer east and west side subdivisions have younger trees, often fast-growing species that break as they mature.
Getting Wichita trees ready for ice
- Reduce long, heavy limbs on silver maples over roofs and driveways.
- Remove Siberian elms and Bradford pears near the house before they break.
- Keep limbs off the service drop to your house.
- Remove pine-wilt-killed pines before spring.
Wichita services
After ice storms and wind.
For pine-wilt pines and dead ash.
Before ice season.
For brittle trees near houses.
After removal.
Wichita tree questions
How bad was Wichita's 2007 ice storm?
Very: 1–2 inches of ice across much of Kansas, and the costliest storm in state history, with more than $135 million in electrical infrastructure damage alone.
My pine turned brown in a few weeks. What happened?
Likely pine wilt, especially in Scots or Austrian pines. Have it confirmed, then remove and destroy the tree before spring.
Who trims trees near Evergy lines in Wichita?
Evergy, which generally prunes for at least 10 feet of clearance.
Which Wichita trees break first in ice?
Silver maples, Siberian elms and Bradford pears.
What should I plant instead of pine in Wichita?
Species pine wilt doesn't affect; tough natives like bur oak are a good choice where there's room.
When is the best time to remove trees in Wichita?
Late winter for planned work, and before spring for pine-wilt pines.
After a Wichita storm
Call Evergy for any tree on a line and 911 for sparks or fire. Photograph damage, then have trees on houses removed first, hangers next. Ice-damaged trees can decline for years as decay sets into broken limbs, so have big survivors assessed after the cleanup.
Calls are routed to independent local tree-service providers. How calling works
More local guides
Need tree help in Wichita?
Call to speak with a local tree-service provider about removal, trimming, stumps or storm damage. Describe the tree and what it's near, and they'll explain the next step.