Action Line is just curious: What happens when you turn over an old leaf? (Action Line)
Action Line is just curious: What happens when you turn over an old leaf? (Action Line)

Dear Action Line: Why can’t the city of Durango do a better job forecasting when the leaves will fall from the trees? The fall cleanup has started, but the leaves at my house have not all dropped yet. – Leaves of Wrath

Dear Leaves: The obvious answer here is that you need to go around your property, and maybe over to your neighbor’s, and shake all the leaves from the trees. Do this a few days before the city’s cleanup crews come around, and that “leaves” you plenty of time to rake and bag.

If you don’t want to shake the trees yourself, hire a professional tree-shaker, or go rent a tree-shaker machine.

These questions are so simple.

Next, please?

Wait, what’s that? You say you don’t know what a tree-shaker machine is, or where to get one? They’re used for harvesting almonds and oranges, so you could probably rent one in, say, California. Get the neighbors to pitch in, and it would likely only run a few thousand bucks apiece.

Too much hassle and too expensive, you say?

You folks are such lazy cheapskates.

This year’s annual fall cleanup began Sept. 30 and runs through Oct. 24. So by the time you read this, it’s about halfway through. But there is still hope. And there are pretty good reasons why it has to start so early. Read on.

“We understand that by the time the trucks come around to collect leaves that not all the leaves have fallen yet,” said Laura Rieck, public outreach and education coordinator with Durango’s Public Works Department.

Rieck said the city has experimented with running the cleanup schedule into November, but early snowstorms can cause chaos. Streets Division crews have had to deal with leaf bags and branches now covered by wet snow, and also having to plow with all that material in the streets.

“The later schedule also overlapped and interfered with preparing our fleet for snow operations, which typically takes most of November,” she said.

So, here are a couple of options for those of you with tardy leaves that just won’t let go.

Keep trying to shake the tree. … No, harder!There is a free Pumpkin and Leaf Drop-Off event Nov. 2 and 3 at the La Plata County Fairgrounds at the dirt lot on the east side of the complex. Hours are 9 to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 to 3 p.m. each day. Material collected will be used for composting and feeding animals. There are a few basic rules to follow, such as using paper – not plastic – bags. For more information about the drop-off, visit www.durangoco.gov/1031/Pumpkin-Drop-off.The city, in conjunction with Table to Farm Compost, is offering an on-demand, curbside leaf pick-up service. It runs from Sept. 30 to Nov. 29, and is open – and free – to city residents eligible for the Spring/Fall Cleanup service. (There’s a fee you pay for this service on your utility bill.) For more information, visit www.durangoco.gov/346/Spring-and-Fall-Cleanup.

Waiting for more puns? Sorry, there are none left to leaf you with.

Email questions and suggestions to [email protected] or mail them to Action Line, The Durango Herald, 1275 Main Ave., Durango, CO 81301. Action Line pro tip: Only jump into a pile of leaves if it’s huge, you know what’s underneath, and your neck isn’t prone to being easily dislodged by a sudden jarring.