Tree Care in Westwood, MO

Neighborhood street view in Westwood, MO
St. Louis County neighborhood illustration
If you're looking at the trees in your Westwood yard, you're likely seeing the legacy of the 1950s. Most homes here were built around 1957, and builders often chose fast-growing trees for quick shade and curb appeal. That means many properties have mature silver maples, known for their aggressive surface roots and weak, brittle wood that fails in storms. You'll also see the remnants of Bradford pear plantings, a tree genetically programmed to split apart after 15-20 years. The problem is you can't see inside a tree from the outside. Internal decay from past damage or construction can be active for years before a branch suddenly drops. A quick tap with a mallet can tell us a lot. Solid wood rings clear, while decayed wood sounds dull, but it takes experience to interpret correctly.

Why Tree Care Matters in Westwood

Professional tree care here is about managing inherited risk. Westwood gets nearly 20 storm events a year. Our clay soils hold water, so during a heavy rain followed by wind, a large silver maple with a compromised root system is a prime candidate for uprooting. It's not just about storms. Invasive pests like the Emerald Ash Borer have decimated the ash trees that were also popular in mid-century plantings. A dead ash tree becomes brittle and hazardous quickly. Proper pruning by a certified arborist removes the weight from weak branch unions before wind can exploit them, and regular inspections can catch pest infestations or internal decay early, when options beyond removal still exist.

Your Tree's History

The 1940s to 1960s development era directly shaped Westwood's tree canopy. The preference was for fast, cheap, and showy. Siberian elms were planted for their rapid growth but are now prone to breakage and disease. The many green and white ash trees from that period are now dead or dying from Emerald Ash Borer. Builders weren't considering the 50-year maturity of these species. They planted silver maples too close to foundations and driveways, not anticipating the heaving roots. They used Bradford pears as street trees without understanding their fatal structural flaw. We're now caring for these trees at the end of their natural, often problematic, lifecycles in an urban environment.

Zone 7a USDA Hardiness
4A Mixed-Humid
~69 years Avg Tree Age
7 months Growing Season
19 Storm Events/Year

Westwood Climate Profile

Risk Assessment

Growing & Pruning

Tree Services in Westwood

Tree Removal

Safe removal of dead, dying, hazardous, or unwanted trees

Tree Trimming & Pruning

Professional pruning for health, safety, and appearance

Stump Grinding & Removal

Complete stump removal after tree cutting

Emergency Tree Service

24/7 response for storm damage, fallen trees, and hazardous situations

Tree Health & Disease Treatment

Diagnosis and treatment of tree pests, diseases, and nutrient deficiencies

Common Trees in Westwood

Bur Oak  -  common in St. Louis County, MO

Bur Oak

Toughest native oak - drought, cold, and wind tolerant. Massive specimens

Sugar Maple  -  common in St. Louis County, MO

Sugar Maple

Fall color champion, syrup production, but salt-sensitive along roads

White Birch  -  common in St. Louis County, MO

White Birch (Paper Birch)

Iconic white bark, short-lived (40-50 years), bronze birch borer vulnerable

Eastern White Pine  -  common in St. Louis County, MO

Eastern White Pine

Tall, fast-growing, soft needles - blister rust susceptible

Basswood  -  common in St. Louis County, MO

Basswood (American Linden)

Excellent shade, fragrant flowers, attracts pollinators

Active Tree Threats in St. Louis County

Formosan Subterranean Termites critical

Formosan Subterranean Termites

Affects: Both dead wood and living trees - will hollow out live oaks and other species from the inside

The most destructive termite species in the US. Colonies can contain millions of individuals. Unlike native termites, Formosans build above-ground carton nests IN living trees, consuming heartwood while the tree appears healthy from outside.

What to do: Have trees inspected for carton nests (dark, spongy material inside cavities). Signs include swarm holes in bark (spring), mud tubes on trunk. Treatment: in-ground bait stations + tree injection.

Laurel Wilt critical

Laurel Wilt  -  active in St. Louis County, MO

Affects: Redbay, sassafras, swamp bay, avocado, pondspice

Fungal disease spread by the redbay ambrosia beetle (invasive from Asia). The beetle introduces the fungus when it bores into the tree to farm. Has killed over 300 million redbays and threatens the avocado industry.

What to do: No effective treatment for homeowners. Remove dead redbays to reduce beetle breeding. Do not transport redbay firewood. Avocado growers should consult extension services.

Southern Pine Beetle high

Southern Pine Beetle  -  active in St. Louis County, MO

Affects: Loblolly, shortleaf, Virginia, pitch, and other southern pines

Small bark beetle (size of a grain of rice) that mass-attacks stressed pines. Trees die rapidly when beetle populations overwhelm defenses. Outbreaks can kill thousands of acres of pine.

What to do: Maintain tree vigor through proper watering during drought. Don't wound pine bark (lawn mower damage is a common entry point). Remove infested trees promptly - they become beetle breeding sites.

Westwood Tree Data

7a
Hardiness Zone
21.9°F
Jan Avg Low
88.8°F
Jul Avg High
42.3"
Annual Rainfall
8.1"
Annual Snowfall
19
Storm Events/Year
359
Tree & Landscape Companies in St. Louis County
$1,000,000
Median Home Value

Hiring a Tree Service in Westwood

With 359 landscaping companies in St. Louis County, verification is key. For tree work, specifically look for an ISA Certified Arborist. Ask for proof of insurance and their plan for protecting your property. A reputable professional will explain why a tree needs work, point out specific defects like included bark or decay cavities, and never recommend topping a tree. Get a detailed, written estimate that specifies the scope of work by tree and procedure.

Nearby Areas We Serve

Frontenac (1mi) Creve Coeur (1mi) Crystal Lake Park (2mi) Country Life Acres (2mi) Huntleigh (2mi)

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