Strong storms this past spring led to many downed trees. It seemed like practically everyone was cutting up tree limbs, creating huge piles of brush wherever you looked. Much of this debris ended up on brush piles at the Boyceville, Colfax and Elk Mound Area Collection Stations, and the Dunn County Yard Waste Drop-Off Site in the Town of Menomonie. But what exactly can go on a brush pile at these sites?
Appropriate items for Dunn County’s brush piles include Christmas trees, shrubs or cut or broken branches. Brush may not be more than 6 feet in length and tree trunks must be 6” or less in diameter to be placed on the pile. Tree stumps with roots are not acceptable as they collect dirt and stones which can be harmful to wood grinding machinery. Instead tree roots can either be left to decompose on personal property or they can be brought to the Transfer Station or an Area Collection Station and be disposed of with the construction and demolition for a fee.
Foreign objects and painted or treated lumber are also inappropriate for a brush pile as processed brush is ground up and made into eco-friendly products, such as mulch and animal bedding. In 2012, the brush piles from Boyceville, Colfax and Elk Mound were processed and items such as concrete, garland and a suitcase were found in the piles. Unfortunately these items caused extensive damage to the equipment and the grinding stopped for days until repairs were completed.
With a Dunn County Solid Waste Permit, brush is accepted at the Boyceville, Colfax and Elk Mound Area Collection Stations and the Dunn County Yard Waste Drop-Off Site. For more information call the Dunn County Solid Waste Division at 715-232-4017.
