Tree trimmings may be dropped off free of charge at the Transfer Station at 1200 West 23rd Street free of charge at any time throughout the year.  Use the main entrance during regular business hours and any other time at the after-hours disposal area just east of the main entrance on 23rd Street.  

Yankton property owners are reminded to trim trees that overhang sidewalks and streets adjacent to their property. City ordinance requires a 10 foot clearance over sidewalks and a 12 foot clearance over streets and alleys.

Maintaining these clearances may take multiple trimmings annually. Low hanging tree branches reduce visibility for drivers, damage vehicles, make it difficult to clear streets, and damage snowplows and school buses.

Please take a few minutes today to measure your trees, and if needed, trim any branches not meeting the clearance requirement.

Street & Sidewalk Tree Clearance

City Code Section 24-40. Clearance: Any tree overhanging any street or right-of-way within the city shall have the branches trimmed so that such branches shall not block or otherwise inhibit street and sidewalk traffic and signs controlling traffic.

Street Clearance

• Twelve (12') feet of clearance overall streets.

Sidewalk Clearance

All large trees shall be trimmed in such a manner so as to allow ten (10') feet of clearance over sidewalks.

Pruning Techniques

Small Branches

• For 1" or smaller use a hand shears.
• Cut back to the joint as close as possible to prevent re-growth.

Large Branches

• For 1" or larger use Pruning saw.
• Make 1st cut about halfway through the branch.
• Make 2nd cut all the way through.
• Then make the final cut.

Brad Bies, Community Development Manager 
416 Walnut Street
PO Box 176
Yankton, SD 57078
Phone: (605) 668-5251