Disposing of Christmas Trees in Metro DC Area

If you are looking for the best way to dispose of your Christmas tree, first consider some of these ideas for using your tree in your garden.

If none of those ideas appeal to you, there are different rules for tree disposal depending on where you live. Also, keep in mind that many of these trees are ground into mulch, which is later available to you for little or no charge.

This effort has many beneficial results and also conserves space in the landfill.

Mulch is good for:

• Soil temperature moderation
• Moisture/water retention
• Reduction of competition (weeds)
• Recycling of nutrients through decomposition
• Conserves government funds through a reduction of purchased mulch

For more information about the benefits of mulch, read Mulch Helps Your Plants Snuggle in for the Winter

In Fairfax County, if your tree is less than 8 feet, you can put it out by the curb during the first two weeks of January for no additional cost. If your tree is larger than 8 feet, contact your trash hauler for collection details. Mulch created by Fairfax County is available to residents free of charge at these locations.

The Montgomery County solid waste website says: We will collect Christmas trees on your recycling day from Monday, December 26, 2011 through Friday, February 3, 2012. Please put your Christmas tree at the curb by 7 a.m. on your collection day. After February 3, 2012, you may still recycle your tree through their curbside yard trim collection. Please note that the tree must then be cut into smaller pieces. Mulch created by Montgomery County is available to residents free of charge at these locations.

For District residents, the DC.gov website says:  Holiday trees and wreaths will be picked up curbside from January 3 to January 14. Remove all decorations and place the greenery in the treebox space in front of your home between Monday, January 2, and Monday, January 9. Please do not put the trees in plastic or cloth bags. Trees collected between January 3 and 14 will be recycled. Any trees not collected by January 14 should be set out with your trash to be picked up as space in the trash trucks allows over the following weeks. Residents also can bring trees to the Ft. Totten Transfer Station weekdays, 1 pm-5 pm, and Saturdays, 8 am-3 pm, for free tree chipping.

Arlington Virginia tree pickup info: Christmas Tree Collection will be from January 3-17, 2012 on your regular refuse day. Since trees will be ground into wood mulch, please remove the tree stand, lights, and decorations. Please do not place the tree in a plastic bag. During the first two full weeks in January, Christmas trees are collected curbside for residents with curbside refuse and recycling service. Residents are reminded to place the tree on the curb no later than 6 am on your regular trash collection day and to remove all decorations, nails, stands, and plastic bags. After the trees are collected, they will be ground into wood mulch for garden use. Special unbundled brush or metal pickups will be suspended during this time. More Info
Information about getting free mulch from Arlington Virginia is available here.

In Frederick County, Md., residents can drop off their trees at the following drop off points starting Dec. 26 and ending on Jan. 25, 2012.

• Reichs Ford Road Yard Trimming Area
  9031 Reichs Ford RD, Frederick, MD 21704

• Ballenger Creek Park (second parking lot on the left)
  5420 Ballenger Creek Pike, Frederick, MD 21703

• Kemptown Park (lower left parking lot)
  3456B Kemptown Church RD, Monrovia, MD 21770

• Middletown Park Recycling Center (area next to maintenance shop)
  7628 Coblentz RD, Middletown, MD 21769

• Point of Rocks Ruritan Club (left side of parking lot)
  1637 Ballenger Creek Pike, Point of Rocks, MD 21777

• Eyler Road Park Recycling Center (fenced area on right)
  30 Eyler RD, Thurmont, MD 21788

• Heritage Farm Park (yard trimmings collection site)
  9224 Devilbiss Bridge RD, Walkersville, MD 21793

Information about mulch from Frederick County is available here.

The City of Frederick, Maryland Christmas Tree Drop Off and Recycling program will begin on Tuesday, December 27, 2011 and continue through Tuesday, January 31, 2012. The four drop off points will be:

• Harry Grove Stadium in the Lower Lot
• Husky Park (Yard 2) - Highland Street
• Max Kehne Park  -  West 7th Street
• Taskers Chance Park - Key Parkway behind Westridge Shopping Center