What to do with fallen trees and branches from the windstorm

Crews with the City of Vancouver have been working swiftly to safely remove fallen trees and branches in the wake of Saturday’s powerful windstorm.

According to the Park Board, more than 500 street and park trees fell from the storm’s high winds.

“The Park’s Urban Forest team is working through calls on a priority basis,” reads a release by the Park Board. “All arterial roads and blocked side streets were cleared on Monday. Crews are currently concentrating on trees that have fallen on houses and cars as well as blockages of secondary roads and bike lanes.”

To expedite the cleanup process, residents are encouraged to remove any fallen branches and limbs that have fallen on their private property and help clear storm drains and catch basins to prevent flooding in the streets.

Small branches and limbs, under 10 cm in diameter and 50 cm in length, as well as any leaves and other garden debris can be disposed of in the green bin.

But for larger pieces of wood, up to 45 cm in diameter and 2.5 metres long, and anything that does not fit in the green bin, residents are advised to drop the debris at the City of Vancouver’s transfer station at 377 West Kent Avenue for free this Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

“Park Board crews can assist if there are any potential safety issues related to the removal of fallen trees, branches or limbs,” the release adds.

It should be noted that businesses are still required to pay their disposal fees at the transfer station.

For anyone who wants recovered wood from the windstorm, such as wood chips and firewood, they can acquire it at these locations:

• Woodchips are available year round at the south end of the Sunset Arena at 390 East 51st Avenue, enter off Prince Edward. The chips are piled on the ground and are free to take at any time.
• Wood is being piled on impromptu woodlots found on the boulevards in the neighbourhoods most damaged by the storm, including Hastings Sunrise and Grandview Woodlands. However, residents are not permitted to use a chain-saw to cut the wood and are required to have a vehicle suitable for the transportation of the load.
• Next week, remaining wood will be transported to the Spanish Banks woodlot, located just west of the Jericho Sailing Centre. Wood will be sawed up into firewood by crews throughout the fall and winter seasons.