Throughout October, Logan County had more days with air temperatures above 80 degrees (four) than below 40 degrees (three). With no hard freeze as of yet this season, the deciduous trees have decided to hold on to their leaves. (TOM STEPHENS | THE CHRONICLE)
According to the National Weather Service (and the Farmer’s Almanac), we in Logan County can, on average, expect the first hard frost of autumn in any given year to occur on or before Oct. 19 or 20, with a 90 percent chance of getting hit with a big one no later than Oct. 31.
But 2026 is not cooperating.
Again, referring to the National Weather Service, the lowest temperature recorded in Logan County in October 2026 was 33 degrees. October had only three days when the temperature dropped below 40 degrees, while we’ve had four days where the temperature has reached or exceeded 80 degrees.
The average high for October 2026 is just over 70 degrees, about 7 degrees above average. The average low for October 2026 has been about 58 degrees, which is over 5 degrees above average. No freezes. In Ohio. During October, for cryin’ out loud.
This presents the city of Bellefontaine with a head-scratcher.
The city’s administration, as it does every year, scheduled its first leaf pickup timetable to coincide with the last two weeks of October when a good portion of the deciduous trees should have shed their leaves.
But no with no frost – hard or otherwise – visiting the city in 2026, the trees have held on to their leaves. Finally, this week, there are plenty of leaves on the ground and the street department has made its initial leaf sweep, but most of the leaves on the two huge maples in my side yard have yet to touch ground.
A short drive around town will confirm that my trees are not the only ones that are hanging on to their leaves.
While the first round of leaf pickup has concluded, the office of the Bellefontaine Service/Safety Director announces the second round of the leaf pickup schedule, which is tentatively scheduled as follows:
Nov. 9, 10 and 12 – North of Columbus Avenue and east of Main Street (northeast sector)
Nov. 13, 16 and 17 - South of Columbus Avenue and east of Main Street (southeast sector)
Nov. 18 and 19 – South of Columbus Avenue and west of Main Street (southwest sector)
Nov. 20 and 23 – North of Columbus Avenue and west of Main Street (northwest sector)
Leaf Pick Up Guidelines
Leaves need to be piled in the boulevard or as close to the street as possible, but not in the street or on the sidewalk.
Please do not park vehicles in front of leaf piles, where our leaf machines cannot get to the leaves.
No other materials – such as branches, brush or trash – that cannot be picked up by the leaf machine should not be mixed in with the leaves.
No bags will be accepted.
Remember, by law, the regular refuse collection is not allowed to pick up leaves or any other yard waste.
Per City Ordinance 521.12: No person shall deposit, permit or allow any grass clippings, shrub or bush trimmings, flowers or any material on any street or alley which might wash into or clog any storm sewer.
Where do I take my leaves outside of the city collection schedule?
The Troy Road Compost Facility, located just north of the Wastewater Treatment Plant, 610 S. Troy Road. Here residents can take ONLY yard waste debris to discard it there at no cost.
This facility is for Bellefontaine residents only. No contractors are permitted to use this site.
