Need to Know: How to Recycle Your Christmas Tree

Looking to get rid of that Christmas tree now that the holidays are over? Don't leave it leaning against your garage until April Fool's Day (it is a fire hazard, after all). Here's all you need to know about recycling those Douglas firs and Scotch pines, as well as safely putting your holiday decorations into storage.

City of Birmingham

If you live in the city, Birmingham waste management services will pick up your tree Jan. 2-13. Simply leave your tree on the curb, but don't be surprised if the trash man leaves your tree behind. According to the city's website, a separate service is used to dispose of Christmas trees, so collection may not be at the same time your trash is picked up.

The trees will be ground into wood chips and compost, so make sure to remove all lights, ornaments, tinsel and tree stands. If you used a bag to catch falling needles while getting the tree out of your house, be sure to recycle that bag or throw it away with your regular trash.

Oakland County Parks

Oakland County Parks has plenty of drop-off locations for used Christmas trees as well. You can drop off old Christmas trees at 11 county parks through Jan. 16 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., seven days a week.

The trees will be processed to make compost and wood chips available free to the public in 2012.

Participating parks include: Addison Oaks Park, Catalpa Oaks, Glen Oaks Golf Course, Groveland Oaks Park, Independence Oaks Park, Lyon Oaks Park, Orion Oaks Park, Red Oaks Golf Course, Springfield Oaks Golf Course, Waterford Oaks Park and White Lake Oaks Golf Course.

Independence Oaks and Orion Oaks will accept trees through Jan. 30. All decorations, tinsel and wire must be removed beforehand, and the parks won't take any excessively large quantities of trees from commercial lots.

Those who recycle their trees at DestinationOakland.com can subscribe at the Oakland County Parks website to receive a free seedling from the Oakland County Conservation District. The seedlings will be available for pick-up in the spring at the Waterford Oaks Greenhouse.

Staying safe

Even though the holidays are over, winter is still the worst time for house fires. Remember, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the U.S. Fire Administration estimates that there are 945 deaths, 3,825 injuries and more than $1.7 billion in property loss each year due to winter residential fires. An estimated 250 of those fires were due to Christmas trees.  

"The longer Christmas trees are in the home, the more they dry out and increasingly become fire hazards," according to a press release by Lorraine Carli, the association's vice president of communications. "Removing the tree from your home and properly disposing of it as soon as possible will minimize the risk of a treasured holiday season becoming a tragic one."

So while you're removing your tree, be sure to follow these safety tips from Birmingham Fire Department and NFPA:

• Get rid of your tree when it starts to appear dry on a regular basis. Are the needles regularly falling off, even though you water it every day? It's time to pitch it.
• Remove all decorations with care, especially electric lights. Inspect each string for damage and don't save a damaged set of lights for next year. In fact, wrap each set of lights in plastic bags or around pieces of cardboard. Then, store electrical decorations in a dry place where they can't be damaged by water or pets.
• Don't delay in taking your tree to the curb or recycling location. These are the safest ways of disposing of your tree. If you have to wait a day until you drive to the nearest recycling center, don't lean old trees against your house or store them in your garage. If the tree is dry, any spark can send it — and your house — into flames.
• Also, take down those outdoor lights. It might be festive for Christmas in July, but continued exposure to the elements can damage wires, and put your house at risk for fire.