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Yes, you can conduct your own leaf removal, but consider that keeping up with leaf removal is time-consuming and requires regular yard work throughout the fall. The process can take a few hours a week. Professionals have lawn equipment that can speed up the process and save you time. Additionally, consider how you’ll dispose of the leaves. If your sanitation company won’t pick them up—especially if you have many bags from a once-annual cleanup— you’ll have to drive the bags to the dump. It’s usually easier to leave the work and disposal to a professional leaf removal service.

If composting feels too complicated, mulching is an effective alternative. While composting focuses on breaking down yard waste to feed the soil, mulching uses that same organic material as a protective top layer. It's a quick way to get value from leaves, grass clippings, and other yard debris without the time or effort composting requires.

If debris from a tree located in a government-owned space (such as a sidewalk, public school, or government property) falls in your yard, it is the city’s or state government’s responsibility to have the debris cleaned up. On the other hand, most states only hold a neighbor liable for cleaning up their tree’s debris if they were negligent in caring for the tree.

It’s possible to go too far trimming your bushes or hedges. If you overdo it, you may kill the plant. Stick to trimming about a third of the branches on your bush each season to prevent over-cutting. If your hedge is overgrown and needs a heavy trim, avoid cutting off the main branches that make up the top of the bush.