Taking down your Christmas tree? Here’s how to get rid of it for free in Sacramento region

You’ve opened the last presents under the Christmas tree and you no longer need for seasonal nightlight in your living room.

What should you do with that unwanted evergreen?

Residents in Sacramento County and neighboring counties can toss out their holiday trees for free.

Each year, old Christmas trees are recycled into mulch or compost, according to the Sacramento County website.

Here’s how to dispose of your holiday tree:

How can I get rid of my Christmas tree in Sacramento County?

Sacramento County residents can throw away real Christmas trees in their organic waste containers, according to the county of Waste Management and Recycling.

First, you’ll need to take all tinsel, lights, decorations, ornaments, nails and stands off the tree.

Cut up the tree and put the pieces loosely in your curbside organics cart. The lid must be able to close.

The cart will be emptied on your next regularly organic waste pickup day.

Flocked trees topped with fake snow are “not accepted for recycling,” the county said.

Instead, cut up your flocked tree and place it loosely in your curbside garbage cart, the county website said.

Trees should not be placed on curbs or roadside for collection, the county said.

Where can I take my unwanted holiday tree?

On Saturday, Jan. 4, the Sacramento Municipal Utility District is hosting a free mulching event for residents to bring their trees in for recycling.

The event will be held at SMUD Corporation Yard, 6100 Folsom Blvd. in Sacramento off Highway 50, from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

According to the Sacramento County website, several other locations are recycling trees for free.

Kiefer Landfill, 12701 Kiefer Blvd. in Sloughouse, accepts trees from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Jan. 4 and 5.

North Area Recovery Station, 4450 Roseville Road in North Highlands, is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. collecting trees on Jan. 4 and 5.

Elder Creek Recovery and Transfer Station, 8642 Elder Creek Road in Sacramento, accepts trees from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Jan. 4.

Sacramento Recycling & Transfer Station, 8491 Fruitridge Road, takes trees from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. between Dec. 26 and Jan. 4.

Dan Russell Arena - Rodeo Park, located at the end of Stafford Street in Folsom, is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Anyone with more than five trees must have a voucher to recycle for no cost, the county website said.

What about Sacramento and Elk Grove residents?

People who live in the city of Sacramento can dispose of old Christmas trees for free, along with leaves and other yard debris.

City residents can put out up to five trees in the street, along with any leaf piles, the city said in a news release.

“The trees (and any leaf piles) should be kept out of storm drains and clear of bike lanes,” the city said on its website.

The last day for Sacramento city residents to put out piles or holiday trees for collection will be Feb. 3.

“Improper disposal of holiday trees on city streets is considered illegal dumping,” the city said.

Elk Grove residents can leave their holiday trees curbside next to the green waste cart by 6 a.m. during the weeks of Dec. 31, Jan. 14 and Jan. 28, the city’s website said, with the exception of New Year’s Day, Wednesday, Jan. 1.

Trees taller than six feet must be cut into pieces measuring 3 feet or shorter pieces, the city said.

Elk Grove officials said artificial, flocked or live trees with root balls will not be accepted.

City residents can also haul their trees at the Special Waste Collection Center, 9255 Disposal Lane in Elk Grove, which is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday through Wednesday.

What can I do with my tree in El Dorado County?

Don’t get rid of your old Christmas tree by burning it in a fireplace or wood stove, El Dorado County officials said.

“They are a fire hazard,” El Dorado County said on its website.

Instead, El Dorado County residents can bring their holiday trees to Waste Connections Material Recovery Facilities, 4100 Throwita Way in Placerville, the website said.

There is no charge to drop off trees, but there is a limit of two trees per vehicle.

Trees will be accepted from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 1, to Wednesday, Jan. 15.

Customers of El Dorado Disposal can place old Christmas trees at the curb.

Trees should be cut into small pieces measuring less than three inches long, and bundled with string or twine.

Trees will be collected on regular pickup days, the county website said.

How can I throw out my tree in South Lake Tahoe?

South Lake Tahoe residents can drop Christmas trees off for recycling at the new Resource Recovery Facility at 2140 Ruth Ave. at no charge.

Free tree pickup is available through Monday, Jan. 6.

Cut your tree into six-inch lengths and place them next to the trash cart on your regular pickup day.

Don’t forget to remove tinsel, lights, nails, and stands from your tree.

“Flocked trees are not accepted” because they cannot be recycled into compost, South Lake Tahoe officials siad.

Can I recycle my tree in Yolo County?

Yolo County is accepting holiday trees through Wednesday, Jan. 15, according to the county’s website.

Yolo County residents can recycle up to two holiday trees at no charge.

Residents can take their trees to the Yolo County Central Landfill, 44090 County Road 28H in Woodland, and the Esparto Convenience Center, 27075 County Road 19A in Esparto.

The Esparto Convenience Center is open 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday

Where can Placer County residents dispose of their trees?

Placer County residents have a couple of different options to get rid of their trees.

Residents in eastern Placer County can place undecorated, unflocked Christmas trees curbside, provided they’re cut into lengths of 3 inches or shorter, the website said.

Trees will be collected on your regular garbage day between Wednesday, Jan. 8, to Sunday, Jan. 12.

Western Placer County residents can drop off at the following locations and dates:

Auburn Transfer Station, 12305 Shale Ridge Road, Dec. 26 to Jan. 31

Foresthill Transfer Station, 6699 Patent Road, Dec. 27 to Feb. 2, Friday through Monday

Meadow Vista Transfer Station, 2950 Combie Road, Dec. 27 to Feb. 2, Friday through Monday

Miners Ravine, 7530 Auburn Folsom Road in Granite Bay, Jan. 4 and 5

Lincoln Airport, 1420 Flightline Drive (open field adjacent to airport), Dec. 26 to Jan. 7

Del Oro High School (football parking lot), 3315 Taylor Road in Loomis, Jan. 4 and 5

Twin Oaks Park (near baseball fields), 5500 Park Drive in Rocklin, Dec. 26 to Jan. 5

Johnson-Springview Park (front parking lot), 5480 Fifth Street in Rocklin, Dec. 25 to Jan. 5

Maidu Park, 1550 Maidu Drive in Roseville, Dec. 26 to Jan. 12

Mahany Park (west of library & sports complex, on the backside of the softball fields, in dog park parking lot) , 1545 Pleasant Grove Boulevard in Roseville, Dec. 26 to Jan. 12

Saugstad Park, 100 Buljan Drive in Roseville, Dec. 26 to Jan. 12

What about Yuba and Sutter residents?

Residents in Yuba and Sutter counties have three options for recycling their holiday trees.

Trees should be placed at the curb beside the organic waste cart for collection by Recology Yuba-Sutter.

Cut up your tree to fit inside the organic waste cart, the website said.

If the tree does not fit in the organic waste collection truck, the website said, Recology Yuba-Sutter will send a separate truck to collect your Christmas tree.

Collection begins on the first pickup day after Christmas until Wednesday, Jan. 15.

Residents can also take their unwanted trees to the Marysville Transfer Station at 3001 North Levee Road from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily.

Residents will have to pay the applicable minimum or weight-based charge or utilize a free dump coupon.

This story was originally published December 28, 2024 at 5:00 AM.