Tree Branch Pickup Program

Tree Branch Pickup Program Brochure
This year's Annual Tree Branch Pickup will be from May 20, 2024 to May 22, 2024

If you have tree branches or limbs and would like to have it removed:

• Place the tree branches in the street where they will be picked up by City crews.  The branches should be piled near the curb or drainage ditch.  City Crews will collect the branches and chip them on site and haul the chips away.  The chips will be used throughout the year in the City's parks and along bike trails and made available to the public*.
• Branches can be of any length-but must not be larger than 4" in diameter.
• Pile the branches so they don't block bike of traffic lanes.  Branches should be within the street parking area.  Branches can only be picked up on Public roads.  We can not pick up branches on private streets.  
• Place branches in a loose pile with the butt (large) end pointed in the direction of the flow of traffic. 
• Do not bag or bundle the branches.
• Branches should be no closer than 30 feet from an intersection.
• Do not place branches in the street where curbside parking does not exist.
• To assure that branches will be picked up, residents should pile their branches in the curbside parking areas prior to the date of pickup.

The City will only be picking up tree limbs and branches.  Other items or materials will not be picked up.  Please contact Cottage Grove Garbage Service at (541) 942-8321 if you need other debris or materials removed.
 

Purpose

The Tree Branch Pickup Program is intended to assist property owners with their tree trimmings by providing a convenient way to dispose of branches without sending the trimmings to a landfill.  Trees and shrubs along City streets are required to be trimmed to provide an overhead clearance of 13 feet 6 inches for vehicle traffic and a minimum overhead clearance of 15 feet in intersections.  Sidewalks require a minimum overhead clearance of 8 feet.  It is the property owner's responsibility to trim trees along their property to meet these clearance requirements.  The tree branch pickup program is conducted to help property owners dispose of branches and limbs from trimmings to meet the clearance requirements.   The trimmed trees improve safety and reduce damage to vehicles. 

In appreciation for your assistance with helping keep the streets and sidewalks safe, along with the branches from tree trimmings to provide street and sidewalk clearance we will also pickup branches from other tree trimmings on your property.  We hope this program provides a convenient way for you to dispose of branches and limbs not only from trimming street street trees and shrubs but from your own property as well.  City crews will chip the branches and limbs onsite and haul the chips to another City lot where the chips are stored then used on trails and in parks for landscaping throughout the community and are made available for pick-up and use by residents.  

For more information about the Tree Branch Pickup Program check out the brochure.  Click here to access the Tree Branch Pick-up Brochure.

We are encouraging everyone to be good neighbors and take advantage of the resources the City has opened up.  Please avoid open outdoor burning as the smoke and particulates can increase the risk of contracting infectious respiratory diseases, increase the severity of existing respiratory infections and worsen underlying chronic respiratory conditions.

Please remember burn barrels, burning of grass clipping or leaves is not allowed in all of Lane County.  With the desire to mitigate respiratory issues we will be paying attention to burns and will be notifying the appropriate authorities regarding illegal burning activities.

*In the 2023-24 season this program kept over 60,000 cubic yards of tree limb material out of the landfill. This number includes tree trimmings on City properties such as parks and Middlefield Golf Course. The City does not take limbs/branches to landfills 100% or all woody materials are recycled/reused within the City.

If you have any questions, please contact the Public Works Department at (541) 942-5501 or email:  publicworks@cottagegrove.org