Many trees were damaged or uprooted in portions of Brighton yesterday. To assist residents with the cleanup, city staff, along with a contracted tree company, will do curbside pick up of tree limbs from June 10-12. This will be available to residents who live between 1st Avenue to 13th Avenue from Bromley Lane to 168th Avenue.
Residents who live in this area and would like to participate in the curbside pick up, will need to cut the limbs into manageable-sized pieces and place the limbs between the sidewalk and street curb. Please do not block the sidewalk. We are unable to come on to private property and remove any trees or limbs.
For residents outside of this area, the City’s free limb disposal site will be open without an appointment Monday - Friday, 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Brighton residents only, no contractors). The site is located at 325 N. Kuner Road.
If you would like to hire a tree company, be sure to visit www.brightonco.gov/forestry to see the list of approved/certified tree companies.
As a reminder, please use caution when dealing with damaged trees. Here are some tips:
Check for hazards. Before approaching a tree, examine your surroundings to avoid making contact with downed utility lines or standing under broken, hanging branches.
Assess the damage. If a tree is healthy overall and still possesses its leader (the main upward branch), most of its major limbs and 50-percent or more of its crown, the chance is good for a complete recovery.
Remove broken branches. This minimizes the risk of decay and insects or diseases entering the wound. Prune at the branch collar (the point where a branch joins a larger one) and be mindful of potential pent-up energy if the branch is twisted or bent.
Don’t over-prune. With the loss of some branches, a tree may look unbalanced, but most trees quickly grow new foliage that hides bare areas.
Don’t try to do it all yourself. If the job requires running a chainsaw overhead, sawing from a ladder or removing large branches or entire trees, contact an insured, certified arborist.
The Colorado State Forest Service offers a guide to dealing with storm-damaged trees.
For questions, please contact Open Space Manager Kyle Sylvester at 303-655-2089.
