The very best leaf removal services in Washington

Fall leaves are easy on the eyes and hard on your back, especially when they pile up on your Washington, D.C., lawn.

There’s an easier way. Lawn Love makes leaf removal simple. Our local lawn care pros in Washington also handle leaf removal and leaf cleanup in the fall. 

Lawn Love’s leaf removal service in D.C. costs $114.68 on average for a 1-acre yard, but pricing is based on the size and amount of leaves on your lawn. Our local leaf cleanup pros rake or blow the leaves onto a tarp and then bag them.

Leaves usually start falling here around late October, and leaf removal is often needed through early February, since oaks and maples keep shedding throughout the winter months.

• Leaf Collection: Washington offers free curbside leaf pickup twice per neighborhood from late October to February, with real-time updates on the DPW leaf collection page. Also, D.C. collects yard waste, including leaves, year-round by appointment (call 311). Use paper bags.
• Extra local rule: Gas-powered leaf blowers are banned citywide. Crews use electric blowers or rakes; fines can apply for using gas-powered leaf blowers

Most common trees that shed leaves in Washington:

• Oak
• Maple
• Sweet gum
• Cherry
• Dogwood

Leaf removal isn’t tied to just fall or winter in Washington. Heavy rains or tropical storm remnants (even rare hurricanes) can carpet your lawn with leaves at any time. Lawn Love also offers storm cleanup services to get your yard back in shape after severe weather.

Bottom Line: Fall leaves on the ground and in the trees are beautiful in Rock Creek Park, just not as a carpet on your lawn.

Lawn Love Leaf Removal FAQ

How can leaves damage my lawn?

A thick layer of leaves:

• Smothers grass. Leaves block the sun, water, and air your grass needs. 
• Spurs lawn diseases (such as snow molds, red thread, and brown patch).
• Attracts pests (ants, termites, cockroaches, and rodents, for example).
• Increases weeds. A thick layer of moist leaves fuels weed growth.
• Lowers curb appeal. Your yard looks uncared for or like a lot of work to buyers.

How can you get rid of leaves in your yard?

• Hire a leaf removal crew. Easiest option, saves time, energy, and possible backache.
• Rake and bag leaves. This takes time and effort and can strain your back.
• Blow leaves and then bag them. It takes less time, but can strain your knees.
• Vacuum leaves. This takes even less time, but it’s a specialized and expensive service.
• Mulch leaves. Mulching mowers make this easy, and mulched leaves add nutrients.

What to do with the leaves you clean up

• Place bags of leaves at the curb for easy pickup.
• Mulch them.
• Compost them. Leaf mold is often called gardener’s gold.
• Use them as insulation to protect root vegetables from the cold.

How much does leaf removal cost?

Your leaf removal price reflects these cost factors:

• Yard size
• Number of trees in your yard (more trees means more leaves)
• Amount of leaves (dry or wet leaves and thin or thick layer covering your grass)
• Leaf removal method (raking and bagging costs more because it takes more time)
• Time of year (leaf removal prices are highest in fall, which is peak season)

How often should I have my leaves removed?

This depends on where you live and your own lawn. 

Biweekly or monthly leaf removal is common in the Northeast and Midwest, where yards tend to have more trees that drop their leaves in fall. 

One-time leaf removal (or twice per year) is common In cities in the South and Southwest, where there are fewer trees that drop leaves.

Give your yard some Lawn Love with our leaf removal service. Our local leaf cleanup pros are a few clicks or a quick call away.