If a tree falls in the middle of your property and there’s not a government employee around, will it still be cleaned up?
When I returned to town from a recent trip up north, I noticed that many homeowners had placed tree branches, some of them very large, out by the curb. Of course that told me that a significant storm had passed through. But it also raised a question about public policy: who’s going to pick up and dispose of that debris?
I’ve lived in several cities in my life, and so I’ve seen several approaches to refuse disposal. Some cities have an in-house garbage disposal unit, often employing union labor. Others follow the monopoly model, but contract out the collection to a commercial firm such as Waste Management or BFI. In my current city, each landowner is responsible for selecting his own refuse hauler. Though it means that multiple trucks will be bearing down on residential streets on collection day, it also means that residents are able to choose in a competitive market for the combination of price and service that works for them.
Given that background, I was surprised to see the branches out by the road. Had people forgotten that the city won’t come out and haul this away?
Perhaps. I looked up the city web site, and sure enough, there was an announcement, front page: your trash if your responsibility. That includes tree limbs that fall solely on your property. Late that evening, I got a “Reverse 911” call to that effect as well, just to drive home the message.
My lot is fairly small and (sadly) with few stately trees. The upside is that the scrub trees along the back property line produced only one “large” branch that needed disposal. Within a week, I had attacked it with vigor, resulting in a nice addition to my stockpile for winter burning.
It certainly can be a nuisance to make your own arrangements, especially if, unlike me, you have many trees to take care of. But I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Why? Trees add value to the land. You pay more, but when you sell, you get more back, too. Like a spacious, up-to-date bathroom, a grove of trees adds to your property value.
I would no more expect taxpayers to pay for the tree-related expenses of my property than I would expect them to pay to replace a leaky toilet. My gain, my pain. Your gain, your pain.
Save tax money for truly public services. Clean up after yourself.