Mandy
As wildfire season in Kansas approaches, one familiar tree is drawing renewed attention from landowners and fire officials alike: the Eastern Red Cedar.
While this tree has long provided real benefits to farms and ranches, experts warn it can quickly become a serious fire hazard if it spreads unchecked.
Why the Eastern Red Cedar Is Common in Kansas?
The Eastern Red Cedar holds a unique place in the state’s landscape. It is Kansas’ only native evergreen tree, and for decades it has been intentionally planted across rural areas.
Rick Schlender, who owns property in rural Kansas, has clusters of these trees along the edges of his land. He explains that the cedar can be useful—but only in the right location.
“It’s good in the right place. In the wrong place? Not good,” Schlender said.
Farmers often rely on Eastern Red Cedars as windbreaks to protect crops and livestock. Their dense structure also helps reduce soil erosion, which is why they were so widely planted in the first place.
Not Invasive — But Still a Serious Problem
Despite common assumptions, the Eastern Red Cedar is not an invasive species. However, that does not mean it is harmless.
These trees:
- Consume large amounts of water
- Spread rapidly through high Kansas winds
- Multiply when birds eat and disperse their seeds
Even well-managed properties can see cedar growth expand quickly, especially in open prairie regions.
A Perfect Fuel for Wildfires
The biggest concern comes during spring and summer, when dry conditions increase the threat of grassland and prairie fires. According to Schlender, the trees burn intensely once ignited.
“We’ve had wildfires around here, and they look like a Roman candle going off,” he said.
Their oily foliage and compact growth make Eastern Red Cedars extremely flammable, allowing flames to climb quickly and spread fire into nearby grasslands and structures.
The Role of Absentee Landowners
Bill Waln, State Fire Management Officer with the Kansas Forest Service, points to another factor worsening the problem.
Many cedar infestations occur on land owned by out-of-state or absentee landowners, often hunters who purchase property but do not actively manage it.
“A lot of times, that’s hunters that buy land from out-of-state,” Waln said.
Without regular maintenance, cedars easily take root and spread. Once established, removing mature trees becomes extremely difficult and expensive.
Managing Cedar Growth Safely
Experts agree that early intervention is the most effective solution. When trees are still young, controlled burns can prevent regrowth. However, this approach carries risks.
Central Kansas is dominated by dry grasslands, making prescribed fires dangerous if weather conditions are not ideal.
Schlender notes that even after cutting down cedars, disposal remains a challenge.
“Once you do get them cut off, you’re probably going to have to burn the pile sometime along the line,” he said.
Because cedars often grow in tight clusters, mechanical removal may require heavy equipment, significantly increasing costs.
Personal Fire Prevention Measures
To protect his home, Schlender maintains a firebreak by mowing several hundred feet between his house and the surrounding prairie. He believes proactive steps like this can make a critical difference during a wildfire event.
Limited Funding for Cedar Removal
The Kansas Forest Service has urged the Kansas Legislature to approve grant funding aimed at removing encroaching cedars across the state.
So far, those efforts have seen little progress, leaving many landowners to handle the problem on their own.
The Eastern Red Cedar plays a complex role in Kansas. While it offers valuable benefits such as wind protection and erosion control, its rapid spread and extreme flammability make it a growing wildfire threat.
With limited funding, increasing absentee land ownership, and challenging terrain, managing these trees requires early action, careful planning, and community awareness.
As wildfire season intensifies, understanding where and how cedars grow could be the difference between safety and disaster.