The time has once again arrived for the fall North Bend brush pickup. Beginning September 18, 2017, North Bend Sanitation will as a community service start collecting brush piles throughout North Bend starting in the Simpson Heights neighborhood and moving south and west throughout the town. That means this weekend would be a great time to tackle those out of control bushes and shrubs you have been meaning to get after the whole summer. And while you are attacking the usual over grown shrubs on your property you might want to consider uprooting any Scotch Broom you might have on your property too. Scotch Broom is listed as a noxious weed by the State of Oregon and US Forest Service. I’ve attached some information from the OSU Extension office concerning Scotch Broom for your information. Scotch Broom is a perennial; blooms April to June. Grows 3 to 10 feet tall. Evergreen shrub with many slender, erect, dark green angled branches with small, simple leaves. Abundant small, yellow, pea-shaped flowers. Easily confused with Spanish broom. Spanish broom (S. Junceum) has round stems, very few leaves, and larger yellow flowers. Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparious) is a pioneer species known to displace native plant species and increase the costs of timber production. It readily invades disturbed sites, natural areas, dunes and public and private forest lands. Maintenance of rights-of-way, facilities, parkland and private property costs millions of dollars each year because of rapid growth of young plants and the plant’s persistent nature. Seeds of Scotch broom are long-lived (50 years plus) and mature plants are prolific seed producers, establishing persistent seed banks requiring long -term management objectives. The largest costs attributed to scotch broom come from additional inputs needed to establish trees in commercial and public timberlands. It is estimated that Scotch broom costs Oregon $47 million dollars annually in lost timber production. NORTH BEND BRUSH PICK UP – September 18, 2017, CALL: North Bend Sanitation if you have questions at 541-756-5211. 1. Brush must be out prior to first day of pickup. Please do not put brush out more than two weeks prior to September 18, 2017. 2. Brush must be in 1 pile, must be 5 feet or less in length. 3. Brush must be out next to the curb free from overhead obstacles, fire hydrants and other obstacles. Remember to keep a clear path for pedestrians along the sidewalk. 4. One pile per address, NO group piles. 5. Brush must not exceed 5 cubic yards. More than 5 yards can be taken, but prior arrangements must be made. 6. No grass clippings, sod, dirt, loose leaves, plastic bags, bailing twine or other materials, which are not appropriate for grinding. 7. $8.75 per cubic yard additional during brush pickup. 8. $10.50 per cubic yard plus trip fee for pickup after scheduled brush pickup is finished. The City of North Bend Municipal Code regulates Brush / Trees – North Bend Municipal Code Chapter 8.12.010 – For the purposes of this chapter, nuisances which are subject to abatement shall include the following objects and conditions: (7) Dry weeds, grass or brush which is capable of causing fires or spreading fires to adjoining properties. (8) Any white cedar tree, also known as Port Orford cedar, which is infested with Phloeosinus sequoiae, commonly known as bark beetle, Ulexeuropaeus, also known as gorse or Irish furze, any poplar, willow, conifer, cottonwood, ailanthus, fruit or nut tree which is situated in the platted area of a street or alley on which in adjacent to an improved public street or sidewalk, and any willow, cottonwood or poplar situated on, adjacent to, or near the line of any public sewer. North Bend Municipal Code Chapter 12.20 The owners of property adjoining any street in the city of North Bend shall have a duty to maintain a safe condition of repair, free of hazards and obstructions, of any sidewalk adjacent to their property, and shall be liable for any injuries or damages resulting from a failure to comply with such duty.
