Branch Pickup - Public Works | Village of Winthrop Harbor, IL

Free Branch Pickup Service

The Village of Winthrop Harbor is pleased to provide free branch pick-up service to all residents through the Department of Public Works. This service is available every Monday during the months of May and October. Because of the large volume of branches placed out, it may take a few days for crews to work through the entire town. Every effort will be made to complete pick-up by Tuesday afternoon each week.

Important Disclaimer

Branch pickup dates are subject to change at any time due to weather conditions, holiday, or operational demands such as large-scale projects requiring full team support. We appreciate your understanding and flexibility.

Placement Guidelines – Please Follow Regulations

To keep the program safe, efficient, and fair for all residents, it is important that branches are placed correctly:

Timing: Branches must be set out by 6:00 a.m. on Monday mornings. Crews will not return to an area once they have passed.

Size & Length: Keep branches as long as possible — longer pieces chip better. Avoid cutting into small pieces.

Location: Spread branches evenly along the parkway with the cut ends facing the street. Tangled or haphazard piles will not be picked up.

Accepted Material: Trimmed branches only. Public Works does not pick up tree trunks, logs, entire tree removals, lawn refuse, grass clippings, or leaves.

Contractor Work: If a tree service or lawn company trims or removes your tree, they are responsible for removing the debris. The Village will not collect this material.

Small Twigs: Place small amounts of twigs into lawn refuse bags. These do not run properly through the chipper and will not be collected from the parkway. Residents with Groot waste service may also use their yard waste options for smaller quantities.

We Need Your Help

We kindly ask all Winthrop Harbor residents to help our Public Works crews make branch collection as efficient as possible. Please spread branches evenly along the parkway with the cut ends facing the street. The picture to the right shows the proper way branches should be placed. Neat and organized piles allow our crews to safely and quickly pick them up using specialized equipment. Tangled or haphazard piles cannot be collected. By following these guidelines, you are helping us keep the program running smoothly and ensuring that every household receives timely service. Thank you for your cooperation and support.

Branches spread evenly along the parkway with cut ends facing the street — the correct placement for Village pickup — Proper branch placement: spread evenly along the parkway, cut ends facing the street.

Contact Public Works

For questions about this service, please contact the Public Works Department.

830 Sheridan Road, Winthrop Harbor, IL 60096

(847) 872-5275

[email protected]

Submit a Service Request