Residential Branch Chipping
The City of Victoria provides a branch chipping service to help residents remove tree branches from their yard.
2023 Branch Chipping Service Completed
The 2023 residential branch chipping program has been completed in all neighbourhoods. Thank you to everyone who participated in the program.
If you placed your branch pile out late (after February 27 at 7 a.m.) or your pile contained unacceptable material, please remove it from the grass boulevard or arrange to have it removed by a disposal service. Victoria residents can drop off leaf and garden waste for free year-round at the City of Victoria Public Works Yard. See below for more details.
Small branches less than two inches in diameter can also be added to your green bin. Learn more at victoria.ca/wastecollection.
Preparing Your Branch Pile
Looking for tips? Check out this video!
Branch Pick-Up Tips
Please note that only tree branches can be chipped and collected. All other yard waste can be taken to the Public Works Yard for disposal.
Please follow these tips:
- Tree branches between 2.5 cm/1" to 25 cm/10" in diameter only will be picked up
- Each household can have one branch pile no bigger than about 1 x 1 x 2.5 metres or 4 x 4 x 6 feet, which is about the amount a half-ton pickup truck can hold
- Branches should be loosely stacked with their cut ends together
- Branches should not be placed in bags or boxes or tied with string or wire
- If your property does not have a grass boulevard, the branch piles can be placed on public or private property behind the sidewalk or in the driveway behind the sidewalk, but please do not place branch piles on the sidewalk or roadway
- Piles left in rear laneways will not be chipped
Please Do Not Include:
Shrubs and plants, ivy clippings, holly, blackberry canes, rose canes, morning glory, knotweed species, garden refuse, compost, lawn clippings, loose leaves, soil, rocks, roots, stumps, construction lumber, and material from commercial tree contractors.
Invasive species contaminate the chipped mulch, causing it to be unusable in garden beds. Many of the other items pose a safety risk to crews and can damage the machinery. Thank you for your cooperation.
Pruning
Before pruning, please consult the City's Tree Protection Bylaw for guidance.
FAQs
Why is the minimum branch diameter 2.5 cm?
Tree branches smaller than 2.5 cm/1” in diameter (twigs) clog the chute of the chipping machine making it difficult to chip larger branches. Branches larger than 25 cm/10” in diameter are too large to fit into the chipping machine.
What items are not accepted for chipping?
Items that are not accepted for chipping include: tree branches less than 2.5 cm/1" in diameter or more than 25 cm/10" in diameter, shrubs and plants, ivy clippings, holly, blackberry canes, rose canes, morning glory, knotweed species, garden refuse, compost, lawn clippings, loose leaves, soil, rocks, roots, stumps, construction lumber, and material from commercial tree contractors.
Leaf and Garden Waste Drop-Off
Victoria residents can drop off branches and other garden waste for free year-round at the City of Victoria Public Works Yard, 417 Garbally Road, Saturdays, from 7 a.m.-2 p.m. (except statutory holidays). Please bring a utility bill or driver's licence showing that you live in the City of Victoria. Public Works only accepts up to 4” diameter branches on the weekends. Click here for more information on garden waste drop-off.
