Environment - Yard Care
Compostable Bags Required for Curbside Yard Waste
A new state law, effective January 1, 2010, requires that bagged yard waste set out for curbside collection in the metro area is placed in compostable bags—either paper or compostable plastic bags. Regular plastic bags are no longer allowed for yard waste. This law does not apply to your regular garbage.
Bags must be either 30-gallon Kraft paper leaf bags or compostable plastic bags, both of which are now available in most stores. The compostable plastic bags must state somewhere on the box that they “meet ASTM D6400 standards for composting” and are “compostable.” Don’t be fooled by companies trying to sell “biodegradable” or “degradable” plastic bags—they do not meet state law requirements. Compostable plastic bags are usually clear or tinted an opaque shade of green, white or pink.
If your refuse hauler provides yard waste carts, it’s best to simply place materials loose inside the carts without bags. If you choose to place bagged yard waste into the cart, be sure to use acceptable compostable bags. Another great option is to begin your own backyard compost. For simple instructions go to backyard composting.
Most refuse haulers will tag and refuse pick up of yard waste in unacceptable plastic bags. If you have leaves from last fall in regular plastic bags, they must be changed to the required bags for curbside pick-up or brought and emptied at the city spring leaf drop-off site.
If you haul your yard waste to a disposal site, you may bring them in the non-compostable lawn/leaf bags, but you will have to empty them and take the bags with you.
If you have any questions, check with your refuse hauler, or contact the City of Shorewood, 952.960.7906.
For more information on the new compostable plastic bag requirements and how how this law affects you visit Rethink Recycling.
Oak trees should only be pruned between November and March
Pruning outside this time makes oak trees susceptible to oak wilt disease, which usually kills them. Late winter is the very best time to prune trees, since insects and diseases are not active. (This does not mean that all trees should be trimmed during this time, so check the web site listed below for information on specific types of trees.)
Oak wilt risk is defined as:
- High Risk: April, May and June
- Low Risk: July–October (remember, low risk doesn’t mean no risk!)
- No Risk/Safe: November–March
The beetles that carry oak wilt disease are most active in April, May and June, making that time period the riskiest for pruning. The beetles carry oak wilt spores on their bodies to fresh oak tree wounds, introducing disease into the tree. For more information about oak wilt, visit the University of Minnesota Forest Resources Extension Service Web site.
Organic Lawn Care
Commit to caring for your lawn in an eco-friendly way, by eliminating synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, using push and/or electric mowers, and watering and planting responsibly. Every acre of turf managed responsibly captures carbon that would otherwise make global warming worse. There are over 40 million acres of turf in the USA. Every acre that can be converted to earth-friendly landscaping and lawn care makes a difference! Thanks for joining us and seeing what you can do to help!
Yard Waste Disposal Options
It is illegal to dispose of yard and tree waste in the trash. Contact your waste hauler for yard waste service fees and information, check out various drop-off locations for Hennepin County Residents or contact the local public yard waste site listed below:
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RRT - The Mulch Store, 4275 Creekview Circle, Minnetrista
- 952-446-1056 - Call first for hours, special conditions, and fees.
- Directions: a half mile east of St. Bonifacious on the North side of State Hwy 7. (Next to Widmer Construction Co.
Lawn watering uses a significant portion of our water supply. It is important that residents and businesses follow the City's Watering Ordinance. This allows Shorewood's water system not only an adequate opportunity to replenish the supply in the City's water storage tanks, but also ensures there is enough water for all uses, some of which include vital services such as firefighting.
The City's ordinance states that residents and businesses can water before 11:00 a.m. and after 4:30 p.m.
Fees for violating the Water Use Restrictions are determined by the number of water restriction violations issued to the owner and are as follows:
- First offense - $50 fee
- Each additional offense - $25 fee increase (e.g. 2nd violation $75, 3rd violation $100, etc.)
Water Use Restrictions are enforced from May 1st to September 30th and violators will be fined. No warnings are given for violation of the watering restrictions.
EXEMPTIONS - Private wells are exempt from the City ordinance, however, the City encourages homeowners to conserve their own water resources during peak daytime hours. Activities such as play toys, car washing, and hand watering of flower beds are also exempt, as long as the activity is attended.
Commercial Lawn Fertilizer Applicators
Shorewood Code requires commercial applicators to use phosphate free fertilizer.
Davey Tree Expert Company 763.553.9740
Guaranteed Spray Inc.
952.941.2900
Professional Turf, Inc.
952.469.8680 ext 203
Tru Green Chemlawn
952933.7360
Rainbow Lawncare 952.922.3810 Talberg Lawn and Landscape 763.428.3550 Fertilawn 952.884.7331 The Lawn Ranger, Inc. 952-937-6076
Licensed Tree Trimmers
Tree Trimmers who work in Shorewood are required to be licensed by the City. Licenses must be renewed yearly.
Aarons Tree Service
952-474-3003
Aaspen Tree Service
952-476-1373
Annatone Tree Service
763-546-0079
Asplundh Tree Expert Co.
763-785-2300
Davey Tree Expert Co.
763-553-9740
F.A. Bartlett Tree Expert Co.
763-253-8733
Four Season's Tree Service
952-938-7708
John Duff Tree Trimming
612-369-2439
Landberg's Tree Service
612-581-9084
Majestic Tree Care
612-522-3210
Ostvig Tree, Inc.
763-479-4090
Rainbow Tree Company
952-922-3810
Schmidt's 4-Season Service, Inc.
952-470-1832
Shorewood Tree Service
952-955-3018
The Lawn Ranger, Inc.
952-937-6076
The Tree & Stump Co., Inc.
952-447-6187
TreeCare, Inc.
612-719-8733
Viking Land Tree Care
763-972-8896
Buckthorn Wrench
The City has purchased a tool designed to help remove buckthorn. The tool is available to residents for use on their private property for a two day rental period. A replacement/damage deposit fee of $20.00 is required.