Don’t wait for your tree to dry out before removing it. As trees dry out, they become more likely to cause house fires. First, remove the tree stand, tree skirt, all ornaments and lights before throwing out your live Christmas tree. Have a bucket or other large container nearby to dump water that may have collected in the tree stand. Next, use a large, plastic tree bag to cover the tree before removing it from the inside of your home. You can also use an old blanket or sheet to wrap around the tree. This will prevent needles and sap from making a mess on your carpet or hardwood floors. Finally, carry the tree to the curb, making sure not to obstruct any roads or sidewalks and arrange for pickup by your local.
General best practices include:
Also, check with your local free drop-off locations. Oftentimes these centers will chip and shred your tree for use as mulch or as part of soil erosion programs. Your Christmas tree mulch can be used as an erosion barrier for lake and river shoreline management or as soft bedding for parks and playgrounds in your community.