The longer answer

The KC debris cycle:

  • March-April: Silver and red maple helicopter seeds drop. Single biggest spring clog cause in KC.
  • May: Oak buds and elm catkins drop.
  • August: Mid-summer relatively quiet; good time to inspect.
  • October-November: Peak fall leaf drop.
  • December-February: Watch for ice dams; clean before snow.

Cleaning frequency by canopy:

  • No nearby trees: 1 inspection per year (spring)
  • Light canopy / distant trees: 1 cleaning per year (fall)
  • Moderate canopy: 2 cleanings per year (spring + fall)
  • Heavy canopy: 3 cleanings per year (May + Aug + Nov)
  • Pine or extreme oak canopy: 4 cleanings per year
  • Gutter guards installed: 1 inspection every 2-3 years

Use our free KC Cleaning Calendar tool to build a personalized month-by-month schedule based on your specific trees and canopy density.