Brush and branch drop-off: size limits and rules
Updated · General guidance — local rules vary.
Call ahead. Hours, fees, residency rules and accepted materials change. Call or check the official source page before you go. Every listing links to its source.
Brush — branches, limbs and woody shrub trimmings — is usually ground into mulch. Grinders have limits, so brush sites tend to have more rules than leaf drop-offs.
Size limits
Most sites set a maximum branch diameter and sometimes a maximum length. The numbers vary widely between sites, so look for them on the site's own page before you cut. If a site's limits aren't published, call.
Usually refused at brush sites
- Stumps and root balls (dirt damages grinders), unless a site specifically takes them.
- Lumber and construction wood, pallets, fencing, and painted or treated wood.
- Grass and loose leaves at woody-material-only lots — they may be refused or charged as a full load.
- Wire, nails, ties and plastic mixed into brush.
Access rules to check
- Residency: many brush sites are for residents only and check ID or a utility bill.
- Commercial loads: tree services and landscapers are often banned, charged, or sent to a different site.
- Trailers and dump vehicles: some sites charge for trailers or don't allow them.
- Fees: some brush drop-offs are free for residents; others charge per load or per cubic yard.
- Season and storms: cities often open temporary storm-debris sites after major storms, with their own rules and end dates.
Loading safely
- Cut branches to the posted length so they fit and don't overhang.
- Strap or net the load. Branches shift.
- Wear gloves and eye protection when unloading.
See brush drop-off sites in this directory, and always confirm the current rules on the official page linked from each listing.
Find a site
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