The free brush pick-up program just kicked off in Ripon.

Director of Public Works James Pease announce that at the recent Ripon City Council meeting.

From now through Jan. 7, residents can get curb-side pick of leaves, tree and brush trimmings, and, come December, their Christmas trees.

The City of Ripon added Wednesday on one new change to the program – palm tree cuttings trimmings will no longer be accepted.

The reason for that came from the composting facility where the city’s green waste is processed.

“Please do not put these out for collection or dispose of them in your green can – they will be picked up and the green can will not be emptied,” according to city website.

Branches can be cut to two foot in length or shorter and disposed of using the black can.

Meanwhile, those using the brush pick-up program should avoid calling City Hall for this service.

Public Works has a special crew for this pick up, checking each of the neighborhoods on weekly basis with no established set routes.

They’ll make sure to pick up any yard trimmings missed one week to that of the following week.

Some of the guidelines are as listed:

• Loose yard trimmings and leaves should be placed in the street just outside of the gutter (street gutters will need to remain clear for the water runoff).
• No other waste of any kind shall be deposited among the pruning or leaves.
• No tree stumps will be accepted.
• Do not bag or tie down the trimmings.
• Remove stands from all Christmas trees.
• No artificial trees.

For more information, log on to www.cityofripon.org.