Does Cincinnati yard waste pickup take stumps?
Not thick ones. The city’s Yard Waste page lists “Logs or stumps thicker than 6” in diameter” under “Yard waste not accepted.” Cincinnati Public Services runs the program.
The page does not describe what happens to a thinner stump, and this post will not guess. If your stump is near that size, call 311 or ask Public Services before you leave it at the curb.
Measure your stump across the top. If it is thicker than 6 inches, it is on the not-accepted list. Grinding is one way to handle it. Read how stump grinding works to see what happens to the wood.
What else does the city refuse?
The city page gives a short not-accepted list. Here it is, side by side with the city’s handling rules.
| Not accepted | Source line on the city page |
|---|---|
| Mixed loads | Yard waste mixed with garbage or in plastic bags |
| Large wood | Logs or stumps thicker than 6” in diameter |
| Fill material | Dirt, rocks, sand or concrete |
| Treated wood | Treated or processed wood of any kind |
| Animal waste | Animal feces |
| Wrong cart | Yard waste in your recycling cart |
The page also says yard waste in city garbage carts, recycle bins or plastic bags will not be collected. Containers and bags over 25 pounds will not be collected either.
When is pickup in 2026?
As the page states it: “Yard waste is collected every-other-week beginning April 20, 2026, through the second week of January and is collected on the same day as your recycling.”
That means two things for you. Pickup runs on your recycling day, and it runs every other week. The page does not list the dates for your address. The city links a tool called “Collection Dates By Address” on its Public Services menu. Use that for your own schedule.
Check the page again in early 2027. The dates above are the ones the page showed on October 26, 2026.
How do I prepare yard waste for the curb?
The city page lists packing rules. Follow them or the crew will skip the load.
- Use cans with handles, paper bags made for yard waste, or heavy twine or cotton rope bundles. Clearly label cans “Yard Waste.”
- Keep each container or bag at 25 pounds or less.
- Put loose material such as grass or leaves in lidded containers or closed bags so it does not blow away.
- Tie sticks and branches in bundles no longer than 3 feet and no wider than 2 feet. Do not use tape, plastic rope or metal wire.
- Put branches with stickers, spines or other hazards in bags or cans so they do not injure collection staff.
- Keep branches no thicker than 6 inches in diameter.
Do not put yard waste in the green recycling cart. The page says it must be prepared in paper bags or a container clearly labeled “Yard Waste.”
Where does a stump go if curbside won’t take it?
The city page points to one other public option. Hamilton County Recycling and Solid Waste runs yard trimmings drop-off locations for county residents. The city page lists three: Oakdale Elementary in Green Township, Rumpke Landfill in Colerain Township, and Bzak Landscaping in Anderson Township.
That county program has its own rules. It limits brush to 12 inches in diameter and 4 feet long. See what fits at Hamilton County yard trimmings drop-off. The county page does not mention stumps.
For a stump that is too big for either program, property owners have a few private choices. Stump removal is the general term for getting rid of a stump. Compare the routes in stump grinding vs stump removal. After a grinding, the leftover wood chips are a separate question, covered in what to do with stump grindings.
If the stump is on the tree lawn, it may belong to the city. See who grinds the stump in front of my Cincinnati house.
The term for what the city collects is yard waste. Cincinnati Stump Grinding is a private company and is not part of the city program. For local service pages, see stump grinding in Cincinnati.
Next step
Read what to do with stump grindings for the wood after the grinding. Call (513) 587-6772 or send photos for a free estimate.
Frequently asked questions
Does Cincinnati yard waste pickup take tree stumps?
Not thick ones. The city's not-accepted list includes logs or stumps thicker than 6 inches in diameter. The page does not say how it treats thinner stumps, so call the city before you set one out.
When is Cincinnati yard waste collected in 2026?
The city page says yard waste is collected every other week beginning April 20, 2026, through the second week of January. It is collected on the same day as your recycling.
How big can a bundle of branches be?
The page says sticks and branches may be tied into bundles of no more than 3 feet in length and 2 feet in diameter. Do not use tape, plastic rope or metal wire. Branches must be no thicker than 6 inches.
Terms on this page
Sources
Written by Cincinnati Stump Grinding and checked against the sources above on October 26, 2026. City rules and product guidance change, so check the linked page before you act.