Athens-Clarke / Branch and debris plan
Athens tree debris: what fits curbside and what belongs in a quote
After a trim or removal, “cleanup included” can mean anything from a raked yard to a log pile. Decide how every branch, log and stump will leave the property before signing.
Read four disposal checks ↗Before the truck leaves
Four checks for
the final cleanup.
Collection rules and contractor scopes differ. Confirm them before any large pile appears at the curb.
Know the county’s residential limit
Athens-Clarke says its Leaf & Limb program is for residential customers, one load per rotation: 25 paper lawn-refuse bags or a limb pile no larger than 6 by 6 by 4.5 feet, or a combination. Branches must be 4 inches or less in diameter. Large trunk sections from tree removal exceed the stated limb size.
Check the collection timing and placement
The county says curbside material must be out by 8 a.m. on the Monday of the collection week and not placed more than ten days early. Paper bags are required for grass, pine straw, small brush and leaves; plastic bags are not accepted. It does not collect on empty lots or private drives. Confirm your zone and current schedule before relying on pickup.
Write the contractor’s finish into the bid
List limbs, logs, chips, stump, surface roots and final rake separately. Ask who loads and hauls each material, where the truck can park, whether wood is left for you, and whether a return trip is included. Do not assume a curb pile will be taken by the county if it exceeds size or timing rules.
Keep streets and wires out of DIY cleanup
Athens-Clarke warns residents not to clear storm trees or debris from roadways; wires may be hidden. Use the county or 911 reporting route for a public-street obstruction. Work near a utility line belongs with the serving utility, not a homeowner moving branches.
A common disposal question
Can I put a whole removed tree at the curb?
The county’s published residential Leaf & Limb allowance has a one-load limit and caps branch diameter at 4 inches. It is not a blanket whole-tree pickup. Have the tree crew include hauling for trunks and excess material, or ask Solid Waste about a lawful alternative before the work starts.
Name every leftover.
Ask each bidder for two written totals: full haul-away with cleanup, and any option that leaves wood. If you choose to keep wood, decide exactly where and in what sizes.
Sources and limits
Check the official collection rules.
County rules reviewed September 25, 2026. Check the current zone schedule and eligibility for your address. This guide does not arrange pickup or quote hauling.
Compare stump and chip scope ↗
← Back to the Athens tree guide