By Nora Heston Tarte
Once the presents have been unwrapped, the lights taken down, and the decorations packed neatly back into boxes, there is still one question begging San Joaquin residents: what do I do with the tree?
Most residents have the luxury of simply dragging their clean Christmas trees to the curb for pickup. These recycling programs typically run for two to three weeks, starting the day after Christmas, and allow trees to be collected free of charge on your regularly scheduled trash day. If your tree has remains of tinsel, flocking or ornaments still attached, they may be refused, or at least not eligible for recycling. If this service isn’t available to you, you’re still in luck. Some local recycling centers will take clean Christmas trees free of charge, such as North County Recycling, which services San Joaquin County and collects trees during operating hours.
Local Boy Scout chapters, including the Lodi Boy Scouts, offer free tree pick-up annually, although donations are accepted. For details on collection date (the fundraiser typically runs one day) contact your local chapter. More information is available on Scouting.org.
Or you could get more creative with your leftovers. Real Christmas trees are biodegradable and often broken down to be reused as mulch. If you have the means- and the know how- break the tree down yourself to use in your garden.
For Those Without Curb Side Pick Up:
North County Recycling Center & Sanitary Landfill
17720 E. Harney Ln., Lodi
(209) 887-3868
Hours of Operation: 7 AM-4 PM Monday-Friday, 8 AM-4 PM Saturday, closed Sunday