The City of Missoula announces leaf collection schedule

MISSOULA – It’s time to rake the leaves to the side of the road.

Fall foliage harvest is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, November 5, 2024 in Missoula and will begin the first week in neighborhoods north of the Clark Fork River.

These neighborhoods include Rattlesnake Valley and Grant Creek, as well as most of the north side of downtown and the Westside and Northside areas.

Crews will then move to central Missoula south of the river and throughout the city by November 29th. An interactive map of the leaf collection schedule can be found here.

The schedule will begin in older neighborhoods with mature trees and the greatest amount of foliage, allowing teams to return to those neighborhoods at the end of the season if weather permits, a news release said.

City residents can also drop off their leaves for free at Garden City Compost between November 5th and 29th. This only applies to leaves. Regular rates will be charged for loads containing branches and other tree or garden waste. Click here for more information or call 406-552-6619 for more information.

Missoula residents are asked to do the following to help with the leaf collection process:

• The rake drives up to the curb in the parking lane, but not onto the bike path or driveway. Make the stacks long and narrow.
• Make sure that the rainwater inlets are not blocked by leaves, especially when it is raining or snowing, as the rainwater cannot pass through the leaves into the storm drain and can lead to standing water or ice on the road.
• Complete the raking before your pickup week begins. Emergency services can visit your street on the first day. They then move on through the area.
• When parking, leave room for Streets Division employees to access leaf piles with front-end loaders and trucks. Instructions for parking in special areas during leaf collection can be found on the leaf collection webpage.
• Just sheets please. Dirt and branches delay the absorption of leaves and can damage our equipment. If you still have branches from the July 24th storm, please do not mix them with your leaves. Call 406-552-6360 and crews will pick you up when time and weather permit.
• Trees must be trimmed at least 14 feet above the street to the inside edge of the curb. If your trees do not meet this requirement, they may need to be trimmed by city crews so we can complete leaf collection.

If the weather permits, street sweepers will come by after collecting leaves.
City officials note that crews will be pulled out for snow plowing if snow disrupts the schedule, but will return to leaf collection as soon as possible. Schedule updates will be posted on the City of Missoula website and social media.

Residents who miss the scheduled pickup time in their neighborhood may call the Street Operations & Maintenance Division at 406-552-6360 to be placed on the list for another pickup time, weather permitting and all areas are completed.