Laredo Brush Pickup Guide | Branches, Tree Debris & Landfill

Last reviewed October 22, 2026. General information, not legal advice. Rules change, so confirm anything important with the agency named.

Quick facts (City of Laredo Solid Waste): brush collection is free for residents who pay City residential garbage fees. Whole trees over 3 inches in diameter are not accepted. Piles go in the right-of-way, at least 10 feet from cars, mailboxes, fences, water meters and overhead lines. Small branches can go out with weekly lawn clippings if they're bundled.

Two ways the City picks up branches

Laredo Solid Waste runs two separate services that take tree material. Which one fits depends on how much you have.

1. Weekly lawn-clipping collection (small branches)

The City's lawn-clipping service collects grass bags, leaves and small branches every week on the collection day set for your ZIP code. For branches, the rules are:

Branches must be 3 inches or less in diameter.
Cut them into bundles no taller than 2½ feet, no wider than 4 feet and no longer than 5 feet.
Tie the bundles with string or twine.
Bags must weigh no more than 30 pounds. Torn bags are not picked up.
Set everything out by 7 a.m. Don't mix it with household trash, and keep vehicles from blocking it.

2. Brush collection (bigger piles)

For larger loads after trimming, use the City's brush collection service. It is free for residents who pay the City's residential garbage fees. Others pay a $35 minimum for up to 5 cubic yards, plus $7 for each additional cubic yard. According to the Solid Waste FAQ, you don't need to call to request brush pickup. The city is divided by ZIP code into five areas on a rotating schedule.

How to stack a brush pile so it gets picked up

Place it in the right-of-way, accessible from the street. Brush is not collected from inside private property.
Keep it at least 10 feet from vehicles, mailboxes, telephone boxes, water meters, fences and walls, overhead power lines and overhanging trees.
Don't block the sidewalk or street.
Clean brush only: no rocks, dirt or trash mixed in.
No whole trees larger than 3 inches in diameter.

How big is your pile? The cubic-yard math

The City measures piles in cubic yards. Multiply length × width × height in feet, then divide by 27. A pile 15 feet long, 3 feet wide and 3 feet tall is 135 cubic feet, which is 5 cubic yards. That's the size the City uses as its example. Knowing your number helps if you're outside the free program, or if you're deciding between a curbside pile and a landfill trip.

What brush pickup won't take

A full tree removal produces trunk sections and large limbs far bigger than 3 inches, and those aren't accepted at the curb. Stump grindings are mostly soil and chips, which the City's no-dirt rule also excludes. For that material you have three options:

Have the tree crew haul it. This is usually simplest. Make sure hauling is written into the estimate, along with whether you want to keep any firewood.
Hire a private hauler. The City's brush page lists this as an option.
Take it to the landfill yourself. See below.

Construction and demolition debris is a separate City service with its own fees ($55 minimum for 5 cubic yards, plus $11 for each additional yard). Don't mix it into a brush pile.

Taking tree debris to the City of Laredo Landfill

The City of Laredo Landfill is at 6912 Hwy 359, Laredo, TX 78043. It is open Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., weather permitting, and may close on rainy days. Trucks with trailers must arrive at least 30 minutes before closing. Useful details from the City's landfill tips page and brush page:

Yard trimmings from residential accounts are accepted free with proof of residency.
On Saturdays, residential waste is accepted free up to one ton, with proof of residency: a valid Texas driver's license plus a water bill matching the address.
Loads must be covered and free of trash, bags, rocks and dirt. Uncovered loads carry a $10 surcharge.
Free mulch is available at the landfill, according to the Solid Waste FAQ.

Commercial and non-resident landfill rates are posted by the City and have changed over time, so check current rates with Solid Waste before a large trip.

After a storm

When a storm brings down limbs across the city, collection may take longer than usual. Cut what you safely can into bundles, keep piles away from power lines, and leave anything hanging, cracked or touching a line to professionals. If a tree is on a structure or a line, see emergency tree removal. For lines, stay away and contact AEP Texas or 911.

Plan disposal before the work starts

When you ask for an estimate for trimming, removal or lot clearing, say whether you want the debris hauled, chipped and left as mulch, or stacked at the curb for City pickup. Each choice changes the price, so get it in writing. Request a free estimate and mention your disposal preference in the message.

Common questions

Is brush pickup free in Laredo?

Yes, for residents who pay City of Laredo residential garbage fees. Others pay a $35 minimum for up to 5 cubic yards plus $7 per additional cubic yard, according to Laredo Solid Waste.

Will the City pick up a whole tree?

No. Laredo Solid Waste does not accept whole trees larger than 3 inches in diameter in brush collection. Have the tree crew or a private hauler remove it, or take it to the City landfill.

Do I need to call to schedule brush pickup?

Laredo Solid Waste's FAQ says no call is needed. The city is divided by ZIP code into five areas on a rotating schedule.

Where do I put the brush pile?

In the right-of-way, accessible from the street, at least 10 feet from vehicles, mailboxes, telephone boxes, water meters, fences, walls, overhead power lines and overhanging trees, without blocking the sidewalk or street.

Laredo Brush and Tree Debris Pickup Guide