The emerald ash borer (EAB) has been found in several Minnesota cities. To help slow the spread of EAB, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has placed a quarantine on disposal of ash tree debris outside of Hennepin County and other Minnesota counties. This includes ash logs and lumber, ash tree waste, ash chips and mulch and all hardwood firewood.

The city’s residential yard waste hauler will collect ash tree debris and will compost it in compliance with the quarantine. Your yard waste will continue to be collected on your scheduled collection day.

For more information about the quarantine, visit the MDA website, or call the state’s Arrest the Pest hotline at 888.545.6684 (voicemail) or email arrest.the.pest@state.mn.us.

The city’s residential yard waste hauler will collect wood chips, along with yard waste, on your regular collection day. The wood chips must be free of dirt, rocks and other materials. Cocoa beans, dyed/colored and flavored chips (used for barbecues) are also acceptable. Yard waste bags or containers must not weigh over 40 pounds each when filled.

Branches, brush or logs greater than 4 feet in length or 4 inches in diameter are too big for residential curbside collection. Bring them to the city’s brush drop-off site.

Learn more about when the site is open, what items are accepted and what items are not accepted by visiting the brush drop-off site page.

Lawn clippings (grass and leaves) are collected through the city’s yard waste collection program. However, consider mulching your grass by leaving your bag off of your mower, so that the clippings are dispersed throughout your lawn. The clippings provide extra nitrogen for your lawn. You can also collect the clippings and use them as mulch in flower beds or compost them in a backyard bin. These options will help you reduce the need to bag material and instead return valuable nutrients to your soil.

View more ideas on what you can do with lawn clippings, and always be sure to keep grass clippings and leaves out of the street. Learn more about backyard composting guidelines in St. Louis Park.