Leaf Removal

Fall is a beautiful time of the year, with the leaves changing colors and falling. One of our services to residents, in the City, is the removal of unwanted leaves. The city's leaf removal program begins when the accumulation of leaves, in the street, are more than what the street sweeping machine can handle in a timely manner. The first phase of the leaf removal involves the city using leaf suction (vacuum) machines. These machines are most efficient when the leaves being raked out into the street, from your yard, are raked into a windrow. These windrows should be no higher than your knees and far enough from parked vehicles for the removal equipment to effectively and safely pick up the windrows. The leaf suction machines are NOT designed to pick up grass clipping, tree clippings/branches, garden clippings (such as vines or palm branches), or other debris.

(Placing such debris in the street is a violation of local ordinances.)

Residential green waste should be placed in the BFI container for green waste. Leaves can be placed in the green waste containers. Leaf suction operators will attempt to remove piles with some debris in them. However, when the debris clogs the suction machines the operators may avoid such piles altogether, leaving them behind.

After the Thanksgiving weekend, the leaf removal program gets into full swing. With the onset of the seasonal rains, raking the leaves away from the curb, at least a couple of feet, helps keep the leaves from restricting the drainage of rainwater. The accumulation of leaves in the gutter when it’s raining increases the probability of flooding. If the leaves are left in the gutter during the rains, they become saturated, making them more difficult to pick up and increasing the likelihood of water pooling and flooding in the streets. Keep parked vehicles far enough away from the leaves that are piled in the street to improve proper removal of the piles.

Important
Remind children that it is dangerous to play in the leaf piles that are in the street. Such activity should be strongly discouraged by parents.

During the leaf removal season please give way to the removal equipment. Be aware of the crews as they remove leaf piles throughout the city. The Street Division's primary objective for leaf removal is to work one step ahead of the regular street sweeping rotation. When the sounds of the machines or crews coming through your area initiate your enthusiasm to rake out your leaves and the operation seems to pass you by, be assured the crews will return, probably not that day. The city crew will continue performing this maintenance activity into the new year until the leaf removal has returned to a level where the regular street sweeper can handle the street sweeping duties in a timely manner.

Your cooperation will improve the efficiency of this seasonal maintenance activity.

Any questions or comments can be directed to the Public Services Main Offices, (209) 827-7034.