NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Due to city cutbacks and lingering money woes, residents are seeing piles of brush by roads more often.

Video: Brush Piles Up In Nashville Neighborhoods

Last year, Metro Public Works had 36 trucks collecting brush; this year, the number is down to 14 after a $3 million budget cut.

Homeowners are feeling the effects. One west Nashville homeowner gave her hedges a drastic trim and the remnants were left lying in the yard.

Metro would normally pick the brush up five times per year, but this year it will sit on the street a lot longer.

Susan Trent said she called and asked Metro Public Works to find out when her brush would be picked up.

"They'll start brush pick up on (October) 23rd, that’s some three months from now," she said.

Public Works -- like very other city department -- was required to cut its budget, so brush pick up was cut from five times a year down to three, which is every four months.

Trucks that clear brush are becoming rare in Nashville neighborhoods. Public Works Director Billy Lynch said his department is doing more with less.

"Most people in Nashville, me included, think brush pickup came with the pilgrims after they landed in America and it should be picked up. We understand that, but also we understand that you’ve got to live within your means," he said.

Trent did get some potential good news from Public Works regarding her pile of brush.

"I was asked, 'Well, is it blocking the drainage ditch yet?' So, I came out and in fact with the rain last week, it’s already begun to block up this drainage ditch," she said.

An emergency pickup will get Trent’s brush cleared. But Public Works offered advice for homeowners getting ready for their end of the summer cleanups.

"Contact your councilman or contact 311 here at Metro Public Works and give us your street and we can tell you exactly when we'll be there. Try to plan your work in your yard with the brush around those days," Lynch said.

Lynch said the department is getting the job done, but with fewer people it is just going to take a little longer to get to each neighborhood.

Residents should expect a pick up every four months. Officials said they have picked up 500 tons more brush this year than in 2007.

Residents can also take trash to two other locations free of charge:

Bordeaux Mulch Facility at 1400 County Hospital Road

Omohundro Recycle Convenience Center at 1019 Omohundro Place (off Lebanon Road and Fessler's Lane)

Click here for a neighborhood pick up map and schedule