West Goshen Adds Additional Yard Waste Collection Day

West Goshen Township has added an additional yard waste collection day to help residents deal with damage and debris caused by Hurricane Irene on Saturday, September 3.

Residents will be allowed to put twigs, sticks and branches tied in bundles no longer than four feet at the curb for pickup on Saturday.  The township also asks that branches not exceed four inches in diameter or they will not be picked up.

Residents may put other debris in trashcans or biodegradable paper bags.  There is also no limit to the amount of waste a resident puts out.

Township officials would also like resident to know that no waste placed in a plastic bag will be picked up for disposal.

The next yard waste collection day will be September 17.

Here are some more tips if you are concerned about trees on your property in future storms:

Inspections: Even if damage is not apparent in your trees, they should be carefully inspected by an ISA Certified Arborist/ NJ Certified Tree Expert for subtle defects such as cracked branches, splits in stems and shifting of the root plate. These defects can lead to branch or even whole tree failures in future storms. A Certified Arborist can also assess severely storm-damaged trees and develop recommendations for remedial treatments such as crown restoration or advise as to removal.

Pruning: Broken, hanging branches and branch stubs, resulting from breakage, require removal. Proper pruning techniques are critical to avoid insect and disease infestations. Proper pruning techniques are also critical to ensure a structurally sound tree. Improper pruning cuts and techniques can lead to problems and potentially create, or worsen, hazards. Trees that have lost significant portions of their crown in the storm may require crown restoration. This form of pruning can begin now but must usually be continued over a period of years to restore a desirable, healthy crown. Pruning also provides data about a given tree. A skilled climber will often notice defects in a tree that were not seen from the ground. Many times remedial treatments can be recommended and even performed during the pruning.

Structural Support Cables: Trees that were damaged during storms may develop structural weaknesses that will predispose them to future storm damage. Crown reduction or thinning may be effective, but more work may be needed to reduce the potential for additional damage. Steel support cables and brace rods also can be installed in branches to reduce the risk of failure. Proper installation of these devices is critical. There are recently adopted standards for cabling a bracing – ask your arborist for a copy.

Plant Heath Care: Wounds created during a storm are more readily invaded by insect borers and disease causing organisms especially if the plant is weakened by other factors. Plants should be inspected throughout the growing season for evidence of these “secondary invaders” and treatments applied as needed to prevent damage. Having a plan for the winter and into next spring is essential for the health of your trees. Fertilization and other amendments, applied based on soil analysis, will aid recovery.