Christmas Tree Recycling Site Selected

NORTH AUSTIN-PFLUGERVILLE, TX -- It’s never too early to start thinking about recycling the Christmas tree, an issue that’s not mulch ado about nothing.

Pflugerville officials have scheduled tree recycling to begin the day after Christmas. From Dec. 26 to Jan. 10, 2016, Wells Point Park will serve as the drop-off point for tree recycling.

While it goes without saying, city officials remind residents to remove all decorations from trees prior to dropping them off. Collected trees are later turned into mulch offered free to interested residents.

Only those trees taken to the park will be recycled, and those left curbside for removal won’t be. What’s more, residents who opt not to recycle—preferring to just toss the tree at the curb for trash pickup—must cut up their trees into pieces no longer than four feet long.

City officials remind residents to also remove decorations from trees being thrown out for curbside pickup.

Wells Point Park is located at 800 S. Heatherwilde. As trees are recycled there, free mulch will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Call (512) 990-6350 for more information.

The National Christmas Tree Association (yes, there is such a thing) touts the biodegradable properties of holiday trees as making for quality mulch. Their branches can be removed for chipping into mulch for use in gardens, easily achieved through the use of a wood chipper.

In addition to recycling into mulch, Christmas trees can be transformed for myriad others uses, including soil erosion barriers; fish feeders; bird feeders; and paths for hiking trails.

These and more tips—including warnings against burning trees in fireplaces or wood stoves—can be found at realchristmastrees.org.