City of Modesto, California News Release

The City of Modesto crews continue their clean-up efforts after last week’s significant storm.  With more than 1,400 initial locations of downed trees and/or limbs throughout the city, crews have had their hands full prioritizing calls and responding as quickly and efficiently as possible.  More than 40 employees from several different departments are working on the clean-up effort.  It is important to remember that City crews are only able to cut and clear city trees and limbs, not debris from private trees.

Have a tree, large limbs or other organic debris from the storm?  Here are a few things you can do to dispose of them properly:

• Small items can be placed in your green can and put out on your usual garbage day.
• For street collection, larger items can be placed at the curb in front of your property and should not extend more than thee (3) feet into the street and must be at least one foot from the curb.
• For alley collection, larger items can be placed in the alley behind your property and should not extend more than three (3) feet into the alley and must be at least one foot from the fence.
• For a large private tree that has fallen, contact a private tree service to have it cut and cleared in an appropriate manner.

Typically, green waste (such as tree limbs, bush trimmings, etc.) are collected on a rotating scheduled based on locations throughout the City.  Given the amount of fallen trees and debris from Tuesday’s storm, crews are not following that schedule and are out in force collecting all limbs, trimmings and other debris put out on the street or in alleys for collection.

The debris placed in the green can or put out for City collection will be taken to the City’s compost facility where it will be made into MoGro-Pro, a clean green compost, and is then sold back to the community in bulk quantities.  The City of Modesto’s compost is laboratory tested and certified per the standards set by the U.S. Composting Council.  Modesto’s compost is also listed by the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) for use in production of organic food and fiber.

For more information, or questions regarding a fallen tree or storm debris, call the City of Modesto Forestry Division at (209) 342-2249 or e-mail recreation@modestogov.com.