The City of DeKalb deals with a variety of problems throughout the year. But the abundance of fallen leaves is an issue that must be dealt with annually.

DeKalb offers leaf collection for in-town residents throughout the season.

“We normally pick up close to 200 tons a year,” said Mark Espy, assistant director of Public Works.

At first, the process of collecting leaves seemed disruptive and unnecessary, but after speaking with Paul Sorensen, biological sciences professor emeritus, I realized that the leaf removal provides benefits to the city.

“The leaf pickup is a wonderful thing because there is no waste,” Sorensen said.

Residents should recognize the service as an advantage to the city rather than a financial burden or an unnecessary utility. It provides benefits that may go unnoticed to the average citizen.

If the service was not offered, citizens may be tempted to burn leaves that accumulate in their yards. That practice is dangerous and affects the city’s air quality.

“People used to just rake the leaves and torch them,” Sorensen said. But “when the leaves are burned, people with bad breathing problems suffer.”

For responsible residents who choose not to burn, yard waste accumulates quickly, and the city’s leaf removal service is an attractive and beneficial option.

When the leaves are picked up, they are transferred to the DeKalb County Landfill where they remain through the winter.

“After all the leaves are composted next year, people can come in with their cars and buckets and trucks and if they pick up the [compost] by themselves; they can have it free of charge,” Espy said.

Leaf removal also sidesteps potential problems that the accumulated foliage can create.

Sorensen said that oak leaves accumulate and don’t decompose like other varieties.

“Oak leaves that fall on your lawn will stay on your lawn,” said Sorensen. When the oak leaves are picked up by the city, there isn’t a chance for them to collect in yards.

Espy said storm water inlets easily get covered by matted leaves, preventing water runoff into the sewers.

For residents looking to utilize the fall foliage before it travels to the compost heap in Cortland, there are some options to reduce leaf pileup in residents’ own yards.

“I rake many of my leaves to be collected by the city, but I also mow the rest of them with my lawn mower,” Sorensen said. “The smaller particles disappear into the grass. It’s good for the soil.”

Sorensen also creates a path through his garden with leaves to walk on so he doesn’t step directly on the soil.

Residents living so near their neighbors should be courteous enough to find an alternative to burning leaves, especially when so many problems can be created by an accumulation of leaves. Leaf collection and compost piles provide appropriate options.