Saying Goodbye to Your Christmas Tree

So the holiday has come and gone and it's time to put away the ornaments and pack up the lights. But what to do with the Christmas tree?

Here are some tips on how to dispose of your tree:

Curbside pick-up for recycling.  Remove all ornaments, tinsel, lights and tree stands. Call your local town services Department of Public Works for tree collection dates, which are typically during your regular garbage collection day, for the first two weeks in January. 

Southington residents may have a bit more of a challenge when it comes to finding curbside pick-up according to Anthony Tranquillo, who serves as both town engineer and oversees public works in Southington. Tranquillo said there is no curbside pick-up but some haulers will take trees upon request.

Call your local hauler for more information, he said. People can also drop the trees off at the bulky waste transfer station on Old Turnpike Road. The station is open every other Saturday, starting Jan. 8, from 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Take your tree to a free drop-off recycling center or transfer station.

Let your Christmas tree keep on giving!  The Southington Land Conservation Trust will dispose of your tree after the holiday season and they will come get it curbside for just a small donation. The SLCT will be picking up trees on Jan. 8, 15, 22 and 29 between the hours of 8 a.m. and Noon.

The trees will be recycled, and the money raised will go directly to the SLCT for the purpose of conserving land and wildlife habitat within Southington.

Go to the STLC wesbite for a flyer where you can choose your pick-up date and find out more information, including donation fee.  If you have any questions, contact Al Fiorillo at 860-690-2484.

Typically, recycled trees are chipped up for use as mulch in parks and other city properties.

Tree recycling and mulching programs. This is becoming more and more popular. A Christmas tree is biodegradable, so if you have a wood chipper, or know someone who does, you can chip and shred the trees and then you can use the mulch for your garden.

Tami Hayes of the Warner Nursery and Garden Center in Simsbury explained that larger branches may be cut into smaller bundles for winter protective mulch around perennial gardens and small shrubs. Don't forget to remove the branches in the spring, when the plants begin to grow again.

Bird feeders.  If the ground is not too frozen, embed your Christmas tree in the backyard and use it as a bird feeder. Strung popcorn, bread and suet will attract the winter birds, who can then sit in the branches for shelter. Within a year, the branches will become brittle and then you can break the tree apart by hand or chip it in a chipper. Or, if you live near a wooded area, you can bring your tree into the woods. It will eventually decompose, but in the meantime serve as a shelter for birds.

Plant. If you have a live tree (balled and burlapped), you could plant it in your yard after Christmas. A good idea for next year would be to pre-dig the hole in the late fall while the soil is still soft, and then plant the tree in the hole immediately after Christmas.

Artificial trees cannot be recycled. They need to be put out with the regular garbage for general landfill disposal.

Important note: Never burn your tree in a fireplace or wood stove. Because trees are relatively fresh, they contain oils and sap that may be highly flammable. A serious chimney fire may result.

The last task is to sweep up the many residual needles in your home. Don't try to vacuum them. Needles can clog vacuum cleaners. But soon—voila! Your house will be back in order.

You may be feeling blue after taking down your tree at the end of another Christmas holiday season. You can, however, continue the spirit of giving—this time with the knowledge that your tree has been recycled back into the earth.