{
  "version": "2026",
  "source": "https://premiergutterskc.com/tools/kc-leaf-drop-calendar/",
  "license": "CC-BY 4.0 \u2014 please credit Premier Gutters KC.",
  "year": 2026,
  "items": [
    {
      "common_name": "Silver Maple",
      "scientific_name": "Acer saccharinum",
      "drop_start_date": "2026-09-24",
      "drop_peak_date": "2026-10-08",
      "drop_end_date": "2026-10-29",
      "severity": "Heavy",
      "notes": "One of KC's worst gutter cloggers",
      "kc_neighborhoods_with_high_density": "Brookside, Waldo, Hyde Park, Volker, Rockhill, Sunset Hill"
    },
    {
      "common_name": "Sweetgum",
      "scientific_name": "Liquidambar styraciflua",
      "drop_start_date": "2026-10-01",
      "drop_peak_date": "2026-10-22",
      "drop_end_date": "2026-11-12",
      "severity": "Very Heavy",
      "notes": "Drops leaves and spiky gum balls",
      "kc_neighborhoods_with_high_density": "Brookside, Waldo, Hyde Park, Volker, Rockhill, Sunset Hill"
    },
    {
      "common_name": "Sycamore",
      "scientific_name": "Platanus occidentalis",
      "drop_start_date": "2026-09-24",
      "drop_peak_date": "2026-10-15",
      "drop_end_date": "2026-11-05",
      "severity": "Very Heavy",
      "notes": "Large palm-shaped leaves",
      "kc_neighborhoods_with_high_density": "Brookside, Waldo, Hyde Park, Volker, Rockhill, Sunset Hill"
    },
    {
      "common_name": "Pin Oak",
      "scientific_name": "Quercus palustris",
      "drop_start_date": "2026-10-15",
      "drop_peak_date": "2026-11-05",
      "drop_end_date": "2026-12-10",
      "severity": "Heavy",
      "notes": "Holds leaves into late November",
      "kc_neighborhoods_with_high_density": "Brookside, Waldo, Hyde Park, Volker, Rockhill, Sunset Hill"
    },
    {
      "common_name": "Red Oak",
      "scientific_name": "Quercus rubra",
      "drop_start_date": "2026-10-08",
      "drop_peak_date": "2026-10-29",
      "drop_end_date": "2026-11-26",
      "severity": "Heavy",
      "notes": "Slow-decomposing leaves",
      "kc_neighborhoods_with_high_density": "Brookside, Waldo, Hyde Park, Volker, Rockhill, Sunset Hill"
    },
    {
      "common_name": "White Oak",
      "scientific_name": "Quercus alba",
      "drop_start_date": "2026-10-08",
      "drop_peak_date": "2026-10-29",
      "drop_end_date": "2026-11-26",
      "severity": "Heavy",
      "notes": "Holds leaves longer than maples",
      "kc_neighborhoods_with_high_density": "Brookside, Waldo, Hyde Park, Volker, Rockhill, Sunset Hill"
    },
    {
      "common_name": "Bur Oak",
      "scientific_name": "Quercus macrocarpa",
      "drop_start_date": "2026-10-15",
      "drop_peak_date": "2026-11-05",
      "drop_end_date": "2026-12-03",
      "severity": "Heavy",
      "notes": "Also drops giant acorns",
      "kc_neighborhoods_with_high_density": "Brookside, Waldo, Hyde Park, Volker, Rockhill, Sunset Hill"
    },
    {
      "common_name": "Honey Locust",
      "scientific_name": "Gleditsia triacanthos",
      "drop_start_date": "2026-09-17",
      "drop_peak_date": "2026-10-01",
      "drop_end_date": "2026-10-22",
      "severity": "Medium",
      "notes": "Tiny continuous leaflet drop",
      "kc_neighborhoods_with_high_density": "Brookside, Waldo, Hyde Park, Volker, Rockhill, Sunset Hill"
    },
    {
      "common_name": "American Elm",
      "scientific_name": "Ulmus americana",
      "drop_start_date": "2026-09-24",
      "drop_peak_date": "2026-10-15",
      "drop_end_date": "2026-11-05",
      "severity": "Medium",
      "notes": "Smaller leaves, less clog risk",
      "kc_neighborhoods_with_high_density": "Brookside, Waldo, Hyde Park, Volker, Rockhill, Sunset Hill"
    },
    {
      "common_name": "Hackberry",
      "scientific_name": "Celtis occidentalis",
      "drop_start_date": "2026-09-24",
      "drop_peak_date": "2026-10-08",
      "drop_end_date": "2026-10-29",
      "severity": "Medium",
      "notes": "Native; drops leaves + berries",
      "kc_neighborhoods_with_high_density": "Brookside, Waldo, Hyde Park, Volker, Rockhill, Sunset Hill"
    },
    {
      "common_name": "Cottonwood",
      "scientific_name": "Populus deltoides",
      "drop_start_date": "2026-09-17",
      "drop_peak_date": "2026-10-08",
      "drop_end_date": "2026-10-22",
      "severity": "Heavy",
      "notes": "Spring fluff is also a problem",
      "kc_neighborhoods_with_high_density": "Brookside, Waldo, Hyde Park, Volker, Rockhill, Sunset Hill"
    },
    {
      "common_name": "Bradford Pear",
      "scientific_name": "Pyrus calleryana",
      "drop_start_date": "2026-10-08",
      "drop_peak_date": "2026-10-29",
      "drop_end_date": "2026-11-19",
      "severity": "Medium",
      "notes": "Late and messy; snaps in storms",
      "kc_neighborhoods_with_high_density": "Brookside, Waldo, Hyde Park, Volker, Rockhill, Sunset Hill"
    },
    {
      "common_name": "Norway Maple",
      "scientific_name": "Acer platanoides",
      "drop_start_date": "2026-10-01",
      "drop_peak_date": "2026-10-22",
      "drop_end_date": "2026-11-12",
      "severity": "Heavy",
      "notes": "Larger leaves than silver maple",
      "kc_neighborhoods_with_high_density": "Brookside, Waldo, Hyde Park, Volker, Rockhill, Sunset Hill"
    },
    {
      "common_name": "Tulip Poplar",
      "scientific_name": "Liriodendron tulipifera",
      "drop_start_date": "2026-10-01",
      "drop_peak_date": "2026-10-15",
      "drop_end_date": "2026-11-05",
      "severity": "Medium-Heavy",
      "notes": "Common in older KC neighborhoods",
      "kc_neighborhoods_with_high_density": "Brookside, Waldo, Hyde Park, Volker, Rockhill, Sunset Hill"
    },
    {
      "common_name": "Ginkgo",
      "scientific_name": "Ginkgo biloba",
      "drop_start_date": "2026-10-22",
      "drop_peak_date": "2026-11-05",
      "drop_end_date": "2026-11-19",
      "severity": "Heavy (quick)",
      "notes": "Drops all leaves in 24-48 hr window",
      "kc_neighborhoods_with_high_density": "Brookside, Waldo, Hyde Park, Volker, Rockhill, Sunset Hill"
    },
    {
      "common_name": "River Birch",
      "scientific_name": "Betula nigra",
      "drop_start_date": "2026-09-17",
      "drop_peak_date": "2026-10-01",
      "drop_end_date": "2026-10-15",
      "severity": "Light",
      "notes": "Sheds early but lightly",
      "kc_neighborhoods_with_high_density": "Brookside, Waldo, Hyde Park, Volker, Rockhill, Sunset Hill"
    }
  ]
}