How To Get Rid Of Christmas Trees In Fairfax County 2023

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — As Christmas comes and goes, residents will need to get rid of their live Christmas trees in the coming days. Christmas tree recycling will be provided in the coming days by Fairfax County, towns and private collectors.

When your Christmas tree needs to go out on the curb depends on when you got it, what condition it's in, and whether it was properly watered.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, trees that dry out can pose a fire hazard. The association recommends residents do not leave dried out trees inside homes or garages, or placed against the home outside.

For Fairfax County collection customers outside towns like Vienna, Christmas trees will be collected from Jan. 2 to 13. Lights, decorations and stands must be removed to ensure trees will be collected. After Jan. 13, schedule a brush special collection for Christmas tree removal.

In the Town of Vienna, Christmas trees will be collected by curbside collection services throughout January. Trees cannot be placed in bags, and all decorations must be removed from trees. The trees will be ground into mulch.

In the Town of Herndon, Christmas tree collection will happen on residents' scheduled collection day from Jan. 3 to 13. Decorations must be removed.

If you don't receive curbside collection services from Fairfax County or the towns, check collection policies with your private hauler. Licensed trash collectors in Fairfax County are required to collect and recycle live Christmas trees below 8 feet tall. Christmas trees may also be recycled at the I-66 Transfer Station or the I-95 Landfill Complex.

The park authority reminds residents Christmas trees cannot be dumped in woods or Fairfax County parkland, as it can help the spread of invasive pests and affect regeneration of forests. It is illegal to dump trash, including yard waste, onto public or private property.