Tree Service in Cheney, KS

Cheney is about 22 miles west of the Wichita outskirts, and for many people the town is tied to the reservoir north of it. When we're out this way for tree service, the jobs split three ways: in-town yards, lake-area homes and cabins, and farm and acreage properties on the open ground around both.

The reservoir

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation built Cheney Reservoir between 1962 and 1965 on the North Fork Ninnescah River, mainly as a water supply for Wichita after the Arkansas River proved too polluted to rely on. At full pool it covers 9,550 acres with 67 miles of shoreline, and Cheney State Park takes up 1,913 acres on both shores at the south end. The town sits about 5.5 miles south of the lake on K-251. The park includes the Ninnescah Sailing Center, and anyone who's sailed there knows how hard the wind blows across that open water.

Wind and lake-area trees

Open water and open farmland mean little shelter for trees. Homes near the lake tend to have trees that grow lopsided, with more branches on the downwind side and roots anchored hard on the windward side. Pruning on those trees is about balance: taking weight off the heavy side and removing branches that rub or cross, without stripping the windward side the tree needs to stay upright.

Cedars, windbreaks and hedge

On the farm ground around Cheney, the trees we work on are often eastern redcedar, Osage orange hedge rows and older windbreak plantings. Cedars spread into pastures when left alone, and the Kansas Forest Service lists threats to Kansas woodlands in its state action plan. Common rural requests here:

• Clearing cedars out of pasture and fence lines
• Removing dead windbreak trees and leaving the live ones
• Cutting back hedge rows that are growing into roads or equipment paths
• Taking down dead trees near outbuildings before a storm does
• Grinding the stumps so mowers can get through

In-town work

Cheney was founded in August 1883, incorporated in 1884, and named for Benjamin P. Cheney, a Santa Fe stockholder. The 2020 census counted 2,181 residents. In town, the trees are mostly older shade trees on established lots, and the work is the usual mix of pruning off roofs, deadwood removal and occasional removals of trees that have died or been badly damaged.

Bagworms

Cedars and junipers draw bagworms. K-State Research and Extension says the young larvae usually hatch in May, and late June is the time to spray, while the larvae are still small. Sprays in August are often wasted. On a small tree, hand-picking the bags works.

Planning a visit

Because Cheney is a bit of a drive, we try to look at everything on one trip. If you have trees at both a town home and a lake place, or several items on an acreage, tell us when you call and we'll quote it all together.

Call (316) 512-2394 or send the form, with photos if you can. Get a free estimate