FM Weekly

Every fall, as more than 12,000 trees across the University of Kentucky's 800-acre main campus begin to shed their leaves, the UK Grounds team in Facilities Management shifts its focus. Leaf removal begins mid-October and continues into January. The team aims to collect the bulk of the leaves before winter break, but the season almost always extends into the new year. 

Although efficiency is key, the process isn’t without its challenges. Narrow spaces between buildings, unpredictable fall weather and the sheer volume of leaves — 40% of this year’s leaves fell over two days during the first cold snap — require constant coordination.