Leaf Collection - Holiday Tree Collection

The fall leaf collection program runs between Monday, November 7, 2011 and January 14, 2012, and every neighborhood in the District will have its leaves collected. DPW will collect leaves at least twice from residential neighborhoods by “vacuuming” the leaves residents rake into their treebox spaces. 

We also will collect bagged leaves from the treebox space or the alley in neighborhoods with rear trash and recycling collections. Bagged leaves will be placed in the landfill. By collecting leaves, we reduce potential accidents and injuries resulting from slipping on wet leaves and prevent catch basins (storm drains) from clogging and causing street flooding during heavy rains. 

Check Leaf Collection Status in Your Neighborhood

How You Can Help

• Rake leaves into the treebox space the weekend before your street’s collection weeks.
• Please – leaves only! Tree limbs, bricks, dirt, rocks, etc., will damage the equipment and delay collections.
• Prevent fires, parking problems and possible flooding by placing leaves in the treebox space, not in the street. When it rains, leaves will block the storm drain and cause flooding.
• If you choose to bag your leaves, please use paper bags. Plastic bags will damage the equipment. You may place bagged leaves in the treebox space or next to the trash/recycling container(s).
• Holiday trees and wreaths will be picked up curbside from January 3 to January 14. Remove all decorations and place the greenery in the treebox space in front of your home between Monday, January 2, and Monday, January 9. Please do not put the trees in plastic or cloth bags. Trees collected between January 3 and 14 will be recycled.
• Any trees not collected by January 14 should be set out with your trash to be picked up as space in the trash trucks allows over the following weeks.

Just the Facts

• Snow and ice will disrupt the leaf collection schedule because DPW leaf collection staff is the backbone of the District’s Snow and Ice Control Program. Expect schedule delays when snow/ice storms are predicted.
• DPW collects between 8,000 and 10,000 tons of leaves between November and January each year. Most of the leaves collected by vacuum trailers are composted and recycled.
• More than 4,500 tons of leaves collected during the 2009-2010 leaf collection season were composted. Between March and October, residents may call 311 to request compost for neighborhood garden/beautification projects or go to the Ft. Totten Transfer Station, 4900 John F. McCormack Road, NE, Saturdays (except holidays) between 8 am and 3 pm.
• A printed leaf collection brochure was mailed to DPW’s trash/recycling customers in October. For the status of collections in your neighborhood click on http://leaf.dcgis.dc.gov/.

Service Need

DPW collects leaves at least twice from residential neighborhoods by “vacuuming” the leaves raked into treebox spaces.

Service at a Glance

Request this Service

Download Request Form and Submit Instructions - http://311.dc.gov

Related Services

• Check Leaf Collection Status in Your Neighborhood
• Street Sweeping, Alley Cleaning and Litter Can Collection

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• Mayor Fenty Announces District Preparations for Fall Leaf Collection

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