How to Choose a Spring and Fall Yard Cleanup Service on Chicago's North Shore

October 19, 2026

The right North Shore cleanup service depends on scope, equipment, licensing, and what the crew does when a cleanup uncovers a bigger problem. Tommy Pollina Landscape Company, based in Mt. Prospect since 1982, runs Spring Cleanup and Fall Cleanup programs, is licensed and insured, and holds NDS Professional Drainage Contractor certificates.

What should a North Shore yard cleanup service cover?

A North Shore cleanup service should remove seasonal debris, prepare the lawn and beds for the coming season, and handle trimming and pruning. Spring cleanup clears winter debris and readies the landscape for summer. Fall cleanup readies the landscape and lawn for winter.

Our Spring Cleanup programs prepare the landscape and lawn for summer conditions and remove what winter left behind. Our Fall Cleanup programs prepare the same property for the cold months. Both sit alongside the rest of our landscaping and hardscaping services, so one company can cover whatever the cleanup turns up.

Local rules decide which equipment a crew can use

Equipment rules differ from town to town on the North Shore. The City of Evanston reports that gasoline- and propane-powered leaf blowers have been prohibited there since April 1, 2023. A cleanup contractor working in Evanston has to bring compliant equipment.

So ask every contractor which municipal rules they follow in your village, and ask before the first visit. A crew that knows the local ordinances saves you a complaint from a neighbor or a notice from the village.

What should I ask before hiring a cleanup company?

Ask whether the company is licensed and insured, how long it has worked in your area, which services it can add if the cleanup reveals more work, and when its season starts. Written answers to those four questions separate established contractors from one-season operators.

Here is how we answer each one:

• Licensing: Tommy Pollina Landscape Company, Inc. is licensed and insured.
• Track record: Joe Pollina founded the company in 1982 as a one-truck operation on Chicago's Northwest Side. Our slogan is Solving Landscape Problems for 45 Years, and our about page tells the full story.
• Added work: Tree trimming, tree removal, stump grinding, mulch, core aeration, power raking, and fall plantings are all our own services.
• Season start: Fall Cleanup begins in late October when the weather permits and continues through December.

Why drainage knowledge belongs in a cleanup crew

A cleanup crew that understands water spots problems the first time it walks the property. Pooling in a low corner, a washed-out bed, or soil pulling away from a foundation all show up while crews clear the yard.

Drainage is the core of our work. We have completed more than 10,000 successful drainage installations, and our team holds NDS Professional Drainage Contractor certificates. We use laser-guided measurements and exact elevations, with multiple collection points feeding underground conveyance. French drains, channel drains, downspout connections, swales, flow wells, and river rock systems are all part of what we install. Our drainage systems page lays out the full method.

One client, Luke Carani, wrote in a Google review: "Wonderful company to work with! They helped me plan and think through a complicated and unique drainage issue and I'm very happy with the result. I highly recommend Joe and the rest of the team!"

If a cleanup shows a wet-yard problem, we also offer emergency and expedited drainage service, sump pump solutions, grading and regrading, and basement waterproofing.

Cleanup for homes and for commercial properties

We handle cleanup and maintenance for homeowners and for businesses across the North Shore. On the commercial side, we've cared for the ivy wall at Gibson's Rosemont for more than 10 years. Our commercial landscaping page covers that work.

Residential examples in our portfolio include a full yard cleanup of a Park Ridge property prepared for sale, and a bush trimming, tree pruning, and landscape cleanup project in Glenview. We also completed a trimming and pruning project in Wilmette. You can see photos in our project gallery.

Where we work

We serve Chicago and the North Shore, plus northwest suburbs including Arlington Heights, Barrington, Buffalo Grove, Deer Park, and Deerfield. Our office is at 420 N. River Rd. Mt. Prospect, IL 60056. Call 847.698.6868 or email info@tommypollina.com. You can also browse recent posts on our blog.

Frequently asked questions

When does fall cleanup start?

Our Fall Cleanup begins in late October when the weather permits and continues through December. Exact timing depends on conditions at your property, so we confirm a schedule with you directly when you reach out.

Do you handle tree work and stumps during a cleanup?

Yes. Tree trimming, tree removal, tree pruning, bush trimming, landscape cleanup, and stump grinding are all services we provide. We can pair them with a seasonal cleanup or schedule them as a separate project.

Can you refresh beds and planters after a cleanup?

Yes. We install mulch, do landscape installations and plantings, and provide seasonal planter and potted plant service, including fall and holiday color. Custom planters are available too.

Do you only do cleanup, or can you fix bigger yard problems?

Cleanup is one part of what we do. We also design landscapes and install drainage, grading, hardscape, paving, irrigation, lighting, artificial turf, and outdoor kitchens. A single company can follow a cleanup with the larger fix.

If you tell us your village, your property type, and whether you need spring cleanup, fall cleanup, or both, we'll come back with a plan that fits. Send those details through the form below this article.