Forestry

Exclusions for the Brush Program

• Treated Wood
• Leaves/yard debris/garden waste piles
• Piles put in alleyways
• Commercial Properties
• Brush from hired professional tree services
• Waste from lawn services
• Properties outside Elkhart City
• Branches bigger than 6 inches in diameter

Accepted Piles for the Brush Program

• A single pile of branches that is 4 foot wide, 4 foot tall, and 8 foot long or smaller
• Dead bushes or branches trimmed by residents
• Piles put on the treelawn

Our typical brush schedule for the year is as follows:

April through October- Brush is picked up weekly

November through March- Brush is picked up the first full week of the month

If we are on schedule, collection should happen the same day as trash and recycling, starting at 6:00 am. Place brush at the curb the day before, NOT IN THE STREET, in a single pile no taller than four feet, four feet wide, and eight feet long. Keep it accessible, separate from leaves and yard debris as well as not blocked by cars or trash cans. During storms, the schedule may change to clear main roads; we'll return to normal afterward.

You can put in a brush pick up request on the 3-1-1 website or call us 574-970-0542.

Trimming

If you would like to make a tree trimming request for a City tree in the treelawn (the grassy area between the sidewalk and the road), you can call us at 574-970-0542 or you can put in a request on 3-1-1.

We only trim City trees that are in the treelawn, if you need a tree on your property to be trimmed you will need to call a tree service.

Removal

If you believe that a City tree is in need of removal, you can call us at 574-970-0542 or you can put in a request on 3-1-1.

Once we receive the request, the Forester will come out to assess the tree and then decide if it needs to be removed. If it is put on the removal list it will then be taken down at the Forester's discretion related to scheduling and equipment availability. Our removal season is typically in the late fall and winter months (November through March). It is possible that the tree will be removed earlier in the year, but a stump/stub* is left behind until these months.

*A stub is a tree that has all of the branches cut off but the trunk of the tree is left behind.

Planting

For a tree planting request you can call 574-970-0542 and ask for George at extension 1303, or put in a request on 3-1-1.

We only plant trees in the treelawn. If you put in a request for a tree to be planted, you will be given options in the spring planting season of what trees you can choose

Tree City USA is an annual national recognition program designed to raise awareness of the value of community trees, set foundational standards for communities of all sizes, and celebrate community improvement. 

The City of Elkhart, Indiana originally received Tree City USA distinction in 1989 with the creation of an official Forestry Program. Since then we have received numerous growth awards and continue to develop and maintain a healthy and vibrant urban forest. We have received this national award for 36 consecutive years making Elkhart the 3^rd oldest Tree City USA in Indiana. We will continue to aspire to meet and exceed the requirements of this prestigious award.

If there is a tree emergency, like a fallen tree blocking the road or sidewalk, call Communications at 574-293-2175.