Letting Go of the Family Tree

Do you want to get rid of your Christmas tree seeing as how the Holiday season is over? Well we have some great ideas to get rid of them.

1. Before you can actually recycle the trees you need to remove all ornaments, tinsel, lights and other NON-organic decorative materials. This includes the tree stands also.

2. Trees are often required to be cut into four f00t lengths; so depending on how tall your tree is you may need to cut it in half. Also in some locales, the trees must be cut into small enough pieces to fit into your recyclable container.

3. Flocked trees will often need to be chopped-up and disposed with regular solid waste.

4. Trees are usually collected from your curb for only two weeks after Christmas.

5. FREE Drop-off locations are also commonly available.

6. Now if you do miss the collection period, you can cut-up the tree and place it in your recyclable container for pick-up on the regularly scheduled service day.

Here are some of the areas that you can take your tree and also when curbside pick up is available

* Alpine — offers curbside pickup on Jan. 12.

* American Fork — curbside pickup from Jan. 9-12.

* Cedar Hills — drop your tree at Heritage Park or Heiselt’s Hollow Park until Jan. 7.

* Eagle Mountain — curbside pickup from Jan. 14-17.

* Highland — curbside pickup from Jan. 14-16.

* Lehi — dropoff at the Lehi rodeo grounds anytime in January.

* Lindon — drop off at the city’s public works building, 946 W. Center, as soon as possible.

* Mapleton — curbside from Jan. 16-19.

* Orem — drop off at 16 locations around the city, see Orem.org for information.

* Provo — curbside on the same day as trash pickup through January.

* Sandy — drop off at 7 locations around the city, see sandy.utah.gov for information.

* Santaquin — no recycling but residents may get a free landfill permit for their tree at the city offices.

* Spanish Fork — curbside through Jan. 10.

* Springville — curbside pickup the week of Jan. 7 on the same day as garbage pickup.

* Vineyard — no service provided.

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If you want to get creative in what happens to your tree rather than just give it to the city and state we have some suggestions.

• Pine boughs are great for your garden beds during the winter.

• Use a gardening hand pruner to cut away the branches from the tree. Scatter them around your garden because the needles will fall off and help the soil retain moisture.

• Large branches have a natural curve and can be stacked to save perennial flowers including but not limited to rose roots and berries. This will help protect these tender plants during the rest of the winter’s icy storms.

• The branches can also make some habitats for rabbits, birds and squirrels. So place the branch by the edge of your yard.

• Cut a two foot section from the top of your tree, set it in your yard and it makes a perfect squirrel feeder and gym.

• Lastly make a sachet with the tree’s pine needles. It will add Christmas freshness to your home throughout the New Year! You can hide them around the bathroom kitchen and living room for some cheer.