City extends tree/branch drop site hours, clarifies pickup efforts

The city of Sioux Falls has extended its operational hours for the two branch and tree drop sites that were opened following the severe storms that passed through Sioux Falls this week.

The sites will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. The extended hours will run through Aug. 11, at which time city staff will evaluate if extended hours are still needed. The sites will be open through Aug. 17, likely returning to hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

“Based on traffic flows to the sites over the past 24 hours, we determined it would be a benefit to Sioux Falls residents to keep the sites open a few more hours each day to assist with cleanup efforts,” said Donny Kuper, superintendent of the Sioux Falls Regional Landfill.

The branch and tree drop sites are near the City’s Household Hazardous Waste Facility at 1015 E. Chambers St. and at 200 S. Lyon Blvd., south of the W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds near 12th Street. The sites are free for residential use. Commercial businesses and contractors can take branches and trees to the landfill. Only trees and branches will be accepted at the drop sites; no root balls or bags of leaves will be accepted. For additional information on the drop sites or Sioux Falls Regional Landfill, visit siouxfalls.gov/landfill.

Additionally, the city’s forestry team is responding to reports about fallen trees and branches in the public right-of-way, which includes streets, sidewalks and boulevards — the area between the street and sidewalk.

Following a severe weather event, trees or limbs that fall from or land within the public right-of-way are the city’s responsibility to clear. Property owners are encouraged to report these instances to the city so the forestry team can generate a work order and send a crew to remove the hazards.

Trees or limbs that fall on private property are the responsibility of the homeowner or property owner to remove and dispose of. The city is not responsible for picking up trees or limbs that fall on private property or are piled in the public right-of-way by property owners.

“City crews are continuing storm damage cleanup, but there is some confusion concerning the removal of all debris,” said Josh Johnson, the city’s park operations manager, who oversees the Forestry Division. “We want to remind everyone: If the debris is from a private tree, city crews will not be picking it up from driveways or boulevards. We are asking residents with tree damage on private property to utilize the designated drop-off locations.”

 It is not standard practice for the city to collect debris from private property after all severe weather events, but it can happen after significant damage.

“We know cleaning up after storms can be disruptive to people’s lives,” Johnson said. “Events like this come down to being a good neighbor. Our crews will continue cleanup efforts, and we encourage residents to check on their neighbors and lend a hand if they are able.”

For additional information on the city’s forestry division, including a list of licensed arborists to support private property cleanup and tree replanting, visit siouxfalls.gov/forestry.