🎄 Christmas Tree Recycling by County, North Carolina and California

Christmas tree drop-off and curbside programs in North Carolina and California counties, with dates, prep rules and the source for each.

⚡ Quick Answer

We found Christmas tree programs in 21 counties. Almost all of them are from last season (2025-26), because this winter's dates are not announced yet. Most programs run from December 26 into mid or late January. Nearly all ask you to remove every light, ornament, nail and stand. Many do not take flocked or artificial trees. Check your county's dates before you go.

Published October 28, 2026. Each program comes from the city, county or operator page that runs it, read October 28, 2026. Not yet confirmed with the operators.

🎄 More Detail for Some Counties

Los Angeles County, CA: Countywide Holiday Tree Recycling Information 2025-26

🏛️Run by Los Angeles County Public Works, Environmental Programs Division (CleanLA); haulers WM, Burrtec and others
🗓️Unincorporated areas: curbside on trash day Dec. 26, 2025 through Jan. 16, 2026. Most of 88 cities: curbside from Dec. 26, 2025 ending Jan. 9 or Jan. 16, 2026.
💲Antelope Valley drop-offs free; WM curbside free for metal bin and yard waste cart customers; city drop-off cost not stated
📍Antelope Valley Recycling and Disposal Facility (WM), 1200 W. City Ranch Rd., Palmdale, CA 93551
📍Lancaster Landfill and Recycling Center (WM), 600 E. Avenue F, Lancaster, CA 93534
📍Bell Gardens Veterans Park, 6662 Loveland St., Bell Gardens
📍Bell Gardens Public Works Yard, 8327 S. Garfield Ave., Bell Gardens
📍Burbank: Verdugo Park, 710 N California St., Burbank
📍Burbank: Ralph Foy Park, 3211 W Victory Blvd., Burbank
📍Burbank: McCambridge Park, 1515 N Glenoaks Blvd., Burbank
📍Culver City: Fox Hills Park, Green Valley Circle & Buckingham Pwy., Culver City
📍Culver City: Syd Kronenthal Park, 3459 Mc Manus Ave., Culver City
📍Culver City: Culver West Park, 9910 Jefferson Blvd., Culver City
➕5 more locations on the source page.
🧹No ornaments, tinsel, lights, nails or other decorations
🧹No plastic or metal stands
🧹No trees wrapped in plastic
🧹Do not block sidewalks, alleys or streets
🧹Missed window: cut tree to fit green organics cart
⚠️Last season (2025-26). This year's dates are not announced yet.
📄Source: Los Angeles County Public Works, Environmental Programs Division page, read October 28, 2026.

Los Angeles County, CA: Christmas Tree Recycling (City of Los Angeles, single-family residents)

🏛️Run by LA Sanitation and Environment (LASAN)
🗓️Curbside on regular trash day through January 31 (2026)
💲Cost not stated
📍Griffith Park (LA Zoo Parking Lot), 5333 Zoo Dr, Los Angeles, 90027 (Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM only)
📍East Valley (Sunland Park), 8651 Foothill Blvd, Sunland, 91040 (Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM only)
📍West Valley (Balboa Sports Center), 17015 Burbank Blvd, Encino, 91316 (Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM only)
📍South LA (Rancho Cienega Rec Center), 5001 Obama Blvd, Los Angeles, 90016 (Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM only)
📍West LA (Cheviot Hills Rec Center), 2551 Motor Ave, Los Angeles, 90064 (Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM only)
📍Harbor (Westchester Municipal Bldg), 7166 W Manchester Ave, Los Angeles, 90045 (Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM only)
📍Fire Station 3 (Civic Center), 108 N. Fremont Ave, 90012 (through Jan. 31)
📍Fire Station 21 (South LA), 1192 E. 51st St, 90011 (through Jan. 31)
📍Fire Station 44 (Cypress Park), 1410 Cypress Ave, 90065 (through Jan. 31)
📍Fire Station 64 (South LA), 10811 S. Main St, 90061 (through Jan. 31)
➕12 more locations on the source page.
🧹Remove all ornaments, tinsel, lights, decorations and stands; bare real trees only
🧹Flocked and artificial trees not recyclable: cut up and put in black trash bin
🧹Cut tree to fit green bin with lid closed, or place whole bare tree next to green bin
🧹Trees over 6 feet need bulky item pickup (1-800-773-2489 or MYLA311)
🧹Parks and fire stations do not accept wrapping paper or packaging
⚠️Last season (2025-26). This year's dates are not announced yet.
📄Source: LA Sanitation and Environment page, read October 28, 2026.

San Diego County, CA: Christmas Tree Recycling Program 2025-2026

🏛️Run by City of San Diego Environmental Services
🗓️Dec. 26, 2025 through Jan. 16, 2026. Chollas Lake (6350 College Grove Drive) listed but unavailable this year.
💲For City residents; free compost/mulch up to two cubic yards at Miramar Greenery; trees taken to Miramar Greenery year-round are subject to disposal fees
📍Carmel Valley Recreation Center (lower parking lot), 3777 Townsgate Drive
📍Colina Del Sol Park (south parking lot), 52nd Street and 52nd Place
📍Encanto, Cielo Drive at Woodman Street
📍Golden Hill Recreation Center, 2600 Golf Course Drive
📍Memorial Recreation Center (Logan Heights), 2902 Marcy Ave.
📍Mission Bay, SeaWorld Drive at Pacific Highway
📍Mountain View, Ocean View Boulevard at 40th Street (north side)
📍Robb Field Recreation Center (Ocean Beach), 2525 Bacon St.
📍Montgomery Waller Community Park (lower lot), SE corner of Palm Avenue and Beyer Boulevard
📍Kate Sessions Memorial Park (Pacific Beach), Mount Soledad Road and Loring Street
➕6 more locations on the source page.
🧹Green and flocked trees accepted
🧹Remove stands, bags, netting, lights, ornaments, tinsel and other decorations
🧹No artificial trees
🧹Do not dump other items
⚠️Last season (2025-26). This year's dates are not announced yet.
📄Source: City of San Diego Environmental Services page, read October 28, 2026.

San Diego County, CA: Holiday Tree Recycling 2025-26 (Solana Beach)

🏛️Run by City of Solana Beach
🗓️Drop-off December 26, 2025 through January 16, 2026
💲Cost not stated
📍Solana Beach City Hall (back of parking lot), 635 S. Highway 101, Solana Beach
📍La Colonia Park (parking lot), 715 Valley Avenue, Solana Beach
🧹Drop-off for holiday trees only; trees need not be cut; remove lights and ornaments
🧹Curbside: tree must go inside green cart, cut into 4-foot lengths, lid must close
🧹Flocked trees cannot go curbside; use drop-off
⚠️Last season (2025-26). This year's dates are not announced yet.
📄Source: City of Solana Beach page, read October 28, 2026.

Sacramento County, CA: Recycle Your Holiday Tree, Jan. 3 & 4, 2026

🏛️Run by Sacramento County Department of Waste Management & Recycling
🗓️Jan. 3 and 4, 2026 at county sites; other dates per location
💲Free; loads over 5 trees need a voucher to be free
📍Kiefer Landfill, 12701 Kiefer Blvd. (Sat Jan. 3 and Sun Jan. 4, 2026, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
📍North Area Recovery Station, 4450 Roseville Rd. (Sat Jan. 3 and Sun Jan. 4, 2026, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
📍SMUD Corporation Yard, 6100 Folsom Blvd. (Sat Jan. 3, 2026, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.)
📍Elder Creek Recovery and Transfer Station, 8642 Elder Creek Rd. (Sat Jan. 3, 2026, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
📍Sacramento Recycling & Transfer Station, 8491 Fruitridge Rd. (Sat Jan. 3, 2026, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; also Dec. 26 to Jan. 5, Mon to Sat, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
📍Folsom Dan Russell Rodeo Arena (Rodeo Park), End of Stafford St., Folsom (Sat Jan. 10, 2026, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
🧹Remove all tinsel, lights, decorations, nails and stands
🧹Flocked trees not accepted for recycling
🧹Secure trees in transport
🧹Curbside: cut up and place in Organics cart with lid closed; flocked trees cut up into Garbage cart; do not place trees on curbs
⚠️Last season (2025-26). This year's dates are not announced yet.
📄Source: Sacramento County Department of Waste Management & Recycling page, read October 28, 2026.

Kern County, CA: 2025 Christmas Tree Recycling Program

🏛️Run by Kern County Public Works
🗓️Friday, December 26, 2025 through Friday, January 9, 2026 (page prints end year as 2025, likely typo; drop-off section says Jan. 9, 2026)
💲Cost not stated
📍22 drop-off locations throughout Kern County
🧹Green container: cut into pieces, remove stand, decorations and nails, lid must close; no whole, flocked or artificial trees
🧹Drop-off: whole trees, tarp and secure load, remove ornaments, bulbs, lights, decorations and stands; no flocked or artificial trees
⚠️Last season (2025-26). This year's dates are not announced yet.
📄Source: Kern County Public Works page, read October 28, 2026.

Fresno County, CA: Christmas tree recycling via green cart (City of Fresno utility bill insert)

🏛️Run by City of Fresno
🗓️No collection window listed (December 2025 insert)
💲Cost not stated
📍Curbside green cart (organic waste)
🧹Remove ornaments, lights, tinsel and stand
🧹Cut into sections no longer than 3 feet
🧹Lid must close fully
⚠️Last season (2025-26). This year's dates are not announced yet.
📄Source: City of Fresno page, read October 28, 2026.

Santa Clara County, CA: 2025-2026 Holiday Collection Schedule (San Jose curbside holiday trees)

🏛️Run by City of San Jose Environmental Services
🗓️December 26, 2025 through January 30, 2026
💲Cost not stated
📍Curbside on regular collection day
🧹Cut trees into 5-foot pieces
🧹Remove stands, tinsel and decorations
🧹Multifamily without yard trimming service: ask property management
⚠️Last season (2025-26). This year's dates are not announced yet.
📄Source: City of San Jose Environmental Services page, read October 28, 2026.

Contra Costa County, CA: 2025-2026 Holiday Tree Collections (Central Contra Costa)

🏛️Run by Republic Services
🗓️Curbside: Bay Point and Clyde Monday, Jan. 12, 2026; Clayton, unincorporated Concord, Morgan Territory, Martinez, Alhambra Valley, Mt. View, Pleasant Hill, Pacheco: regular garbage day week of Jan. 12-16, 2026
💲Curbside and drop-off free; Antioch Boy Scouts pickup suggested donation $30 unflocked, $40 flocked; flocked curbside pickup $40 per tree
📍Antioch drop-off: Prewett Family Water Park parking lot, Antioch (no street address printed) (9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Dec. 27-28, 2025; Jan. 4-5 and Jan. 10-11, 2026)
📍Antioch drop-off: Antioch Marina Overflow lot, Second and L streets, Antioch (same as above)
🧹Unflocked trees only at drop-off and curbside; remove stand and decorations
🧹Green container: branches 6 inches or less diameter, 3 feet or less long, lid closed
🧹Flocked trees cannot be composted; treat as trash
⚠️Last season (2025-26). This year's dates are not announced yet.
📄Source: Republic Services page, read October 28, 2026.

San Francisco County, CA: Treecycle (curbside Christmas tree collection)

🏛️Run by Recology (page by San Francisco Environment Department)
🗓️January 2 to January 16, 2026
💲Free
📍Curbside next to green composting bin (Set out night before collection day)
🧹Natural trees only; no decorations or flocking
🧹Remove tinsel, ornaments, plastic bags, stands and lights
🧹Trees over 6 feet cut in half
🧹Missed pickup: call Recology (415) 330-1300
⚠️Last season (2025-26). This year's dates are not announced yet.
📄Source: Recology page, read October 28, 2026.

Ventura County, CA: How and where to recycle your Christmas tree in Ventura County (Eco-tip column)

🏛️Run by Ventura County Public Works Agency (column by David Goldstein); programs by Harrison Industries, WM, Athens Services, Oxnard, Port Hueneme, Moorpark
🗓️Whole tree curbside: Harrison until Jan. 10 inside cities, Jan. 16 outside; WM until Jan. 9; Athens until Jan. 16; Port Hueneme Jan. 5-15; Oxnard Jan. 5-23
💲Drop-off sites listed free through dates shown
📍Agromin Organics, 6859 Arnold Road, near Oxnard (Mon to Fri 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Sat 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.; free through Jan. 10)
📍Ojai Valley Organics, End of Old Baldwin Road, Ojai (Mon to Sat 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.; free through Jan. 10)
📍Peach Hill Soils retail site (Performance Nursery), 6101 E. Los Angeles Ave., Somis (Mon to Fri 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Sat 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.; free through Jan. 10)
📍Peach Hill Soils compost site, 10765 W. Los Angeles Ave., near Moorpark (Mon to Fri 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sat 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.; free through Jan. 10)
📍WM Simi Valley Landfill and Recycling Center, 2801 Madera Road, Simi Valley (Free, Mon to Fri 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Dec. 26 to Jan. 9)
📍Del Norte Regional Recycling and Transfer Station (Oxnard) (Free through Jan. 4, 2026; Mon to Sat 5:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
📍Moorpark drop-off bins, Marquette Street and Park Crest Lane, Moorpark (through Jan. 6)
📍Oxnard Dog Park, 463 H St., Oxnard (dawn to dusk)
🧹Cut tree into 4-foot segments for yard waste cart; remove decorations and stands
🧹Fire-proofed trees go in trash
🧹Flocked trees not recyclable in some programs; accepted with organics in Oxnard and Harrison areas
⚠️Last season (2025-26). This year's dates are not announced yet.
📄Source: Ventura County Public Works Agency page, read October 28, 2026.

San Mateo County, CA: Curbside holiday tree collection and guidelines (Menlo Park)

🏛️Run by City of Menlo Park with Recology San Mateo County
🗓️Starts Friday, Jan. 2 (2026); after Jan. 31 trees must be cut to fit compost cart
💲Apartment/condo collection no additional charge; regular curbside fee not stated
📍Curbside next to green compost cart (Regular pickup day)
🧹Remove lights, tinsel, stands and nails
🧹Flocked trees acceptable
🧹Trees over 8 feet cut into pieces
🧹Not in bike lanes or gutters
⚠️Last season (2025-26). This year's dates are not announced yet.
📄Source: City of Menlo Park with Recology San Mateo County page, read October 28, 2026.

Sonoma County, CA: Christmas Tree Recycling 2025-2026

🏛️Run by Zero Waste Sonoma; curbside by Recology, Sonoma County Resource Recovery, Sonoma Garbage Collectors
🗓️Curbside: Cotati Jan 5-9, 2026; Cloverdale Dec 29, 2025 to Jan 3, 2026; Healdsburg Dec 29 to Jan 9; Petaluma Dec 29 to Jan 3; Rohnert Park Jan 5-16; Santa Rosa Dec 29 to Jan 9; Sebastopol Dec 26-31; Unincorporated Dec 29 to Jan 23, 2026; Windsor Dec 26-31
💲Drop-off boxes free; county sites free for up to 2 unflocked trees per vehicle
📍Cotati Fire Station, 1 East Cotati Avenue, Cotati (Daily 8 AM to 4 PM, Dec 26, 2025 to Jan 16, 2026)
📍Cloverdale Citrus Fair, Citrus Fair Drive (Washington St. entrance), Cloverdale (Daily 8 AM to 4 PM, Dec 26, 2025 to Jan 16, 2026)
📍Healdsburg City Hall (lot north of City Hall), 401 Grove Street, Healdsburg (Daily, Dec 29, 2025 to Jan 16, 2026)
📍Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds, 175 Fairgrounds Drive, Petaluma (Daily 8 AM to 5 PM, Dec 26, 2025 to Jan 16, 2026)
📍Rohnert Park Community Center, 5401 Snyder Lane, Rohnert Park (Daily 8 AM to 4 PM, Dec 26, 2025 to Jan 16, 2026)
📍Sonoma County Fairgrounds (Jockey Club entrance), 1350 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa (Daily 8 AM to 5 PM, Dec 26, 2025 to Jan 16, 2026)
📍Sebastopol Corporation Yard, 425 Morris Street, Sebastopol (Daily 8 AM to 5 PM, Dec 31, 2025 to Jan 9, 2026)
📍Windsor Corporation Yard (Windsor residents only), 8400 Windsor Road, Windsor (Daily 8 AM to 5 PM, Dec 31, 2025 to Jan 9, 2026)
📍County refuse disposal sites except Central Disposal Site (Regular hours; tree fees waived Dec 26, 2025 to Jan 16, 2026)
🧹Real, unflocked trees only; no decorations, lights, stands or tinsel
🧹Trees under 6 feet or cut in half next to yard waste bin; do not bag
🧹Pre-lit artificial trees go to e-waste
⚠️Last season (2025-26). This year's dates are not announced yet.
📄Source: Zero Waste Sonoma page, read October 28, 2026.

Placer County, CA: Christmas Tree Disposal 2025-26

🏛️Run by Western Placer Waste Management Authority (WPWMA)
🗓️See locations
💲Free at community drop-off sites; fees at WPWMA
📍WPWMA, 3195 Athens Avenue, Lincoln, CA (Every day of the year; disposal fees apply)
📍Free drop-off sites in Auburn, Foresthill, Granite Bay, Lincoln, Loomis, Meadow Vista, Rocklin, Roseville parks (Most Dec. 26 to early January; Granite Bay and Loomis Jan. 3-4 only; Foresthill and Meadow Vista Fri to Mon, Dec. 26 to Feb. 2)
🧹No flocked trees in green waste bin
🧹Trees in bin must be cut to fit with lid closed
⚠️Last season (2025-26). This year's dates are not announced yet.
📄Source: Western Placer Waste Management Authority page, read October 28, 2026.

Durham County, NC: Live tree drop-off and curbside collection (City of Durham holiday service changes)

🏛️Run by City of Durham
🗓️Curbside (yard waste and exempt service customers only): Friday, Jan. 2 through Monday, Feb. 2. Drop-off dates per location above.
💲Free
📍City Waste Disposal and Recycling Center, 2115 E. Club Blvd., Durham (Jan. 5 through Feb. 7; Mon to Fri 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sat 7:30 a.m. to noon)
📍Lowe's Home Improvement, 117 William Penn Plz., Durham (Saturdays Jan. 10, 17, 24, 8 a.m. to noon)
📍Lowe's Home Improvement, 4402 Fayetteville Rd., Durham (Saturdays Jan. 10, 17, 24, 8 a.m. to noon)
📍The Home Depot, 3701 Mt. Moriah Rd., Durham (Saturdays Jan. 10, 17, 24, 8 a.m. to noon)
📍The Home Depot, 1700 N. Pointe Dr., Durham (Saturdays Jan. 10, 17, 24, 8 a.m. to noon)
🧹Cut trees in half if taller than 6 feet
🧹Remove all decorations and hardware (tinsel, lights, garland, ornaments, nails, stands)
🧹Trees should not be inside bags
⚠️Last season (2025-26). This year's dates are not announced yet.
📄Source: City of Durham page, read October 28, 2026.

Henderson County, NC: Christmas Tree Recycling + Free Mulch Event

🏛️Run by Listed on City of Hendersonville site; organizer not named (contact is a Henderson County staff email)
🗓️Drop-off through Saturday, January 10, 2026 (main event day)
💲Free mulch; no drop-off fee listed
📍Jackson Park ball field #6, 801 4th Ave East, Hendersonville, NC (Drop-off 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. before event; event Jan. 10, 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM)
🧹Christmas lights dropped off separately
⚠️Last season (2025-26). This year's dates are not announced yet.
📄Source: Listed on City of Hendersonville site page, read October 28, 2026.

Johnston County, NC: County Landfill and Convenience Sites Accepting Live Christmas Trees

🏛️Run by Johnston County Solid Waste
🗓️Convenience sites accept trees through Feb. 15; landfill year-round. Closed major holidays including New Year's Day.
💲Cost not stated
📍Johnston County Landfill, 680 County Home Road, Smithfield (8:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Mon to Fri; 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sat; accepts trees year-round)
📍12 county convenience sites (addresses at johnstonnc.gov/solidwaste/) (Oct 1 to Apr 30: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sat; closed Sun and Wed)
📍Convenience site recommended for Archer Lodge residents, 15031 Buffalo Road (Convenience site hours above)
🧹Remove all lights and ornaments
🧹Smithfield residents may place trees curbside on regular trash day
🧹Check with your town
⚠️Last season (2025-26). This year's dates are not announced yet.
📄Source: Johnston County Solid Waste page, read October 28, 2026.

Mecklenburg County, NC: Holiday tree drop-off at full-service and staffed recycling centers

🏛️Run by Mecklenburg County Solid Waste
🗓️No specific window. Centers close Christmas Eve at 1 p.m.; closed Dec. 25 and Jan. 1, 2026.
💲Up to two natural Christmas trees free; one artificial tree free
📍Compost Central Disposal and Recycling Center, 140 Valleydale Road, Charlotte, NC 28214 (Mon to Sat, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. (facilities page))
📍Foxhole Disposal and Recycling Center, 17131 Lancaster Hwy., Charlotte, NC 28277 (Mon to Sat, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. (facilities page))
📍Hickory Grove Disposal and Recycling Center, 8007 Pence Road, Charlotte, NC 28215 (Mon to Sat, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. (facilities page))
📍North Mecklenburg Disposal and Recycling Center, 12300 Statesville Road, Huntersville, NC 28078 (Mon to Sat, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. (facilities page))
📍William R. Davie Staffed Recycling Center, 4635 Pineville-Matthews Road, Charlotte, NC 28226 (Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed Wed and Sun (facilities page))
🧹Trees must be without any decorations
⚠️Last season (2025-26). This year's dates are not announced yet.
📄Source: Mecklenburg County Solid Waste page, read October 28, 2026.

Mecklenburg County, NC: Holiday Collection Tips 2025 (Charlotte curbside natural trees)

🏛️Run by City of Charlotte Solid Waste Services
🗓️Natural trees can be placed at the curb beginning Monday, Jan. 5 (page published Dec. 18, 2025)
💲Cost not stated
📍Curbside (City of Charlotte)
🧹Remove all lights, tinsel and ornaments; check branches
🧹Artificial trees: schedule bulky collection online, CLT+ app, 311 or 704-336-7600
⚠️Last season (2025-26). This year's dates are not announced yet.
📄Source: City of Charlotte Solid Waste Services page, read October 28, 2026.

Wake County, NC: Christmas Tree Recycling (Happy Trails, mulch for Wake County Parks trails)

🏛️Run by Wake County Solid Waste Management
🗓️Dec. 26, 2025 through Jan. 31, 2026. All facilities closed New Year's Day, Thursday, Jan. 1.
💲Cost not stated
📍Convenience Center Site 1, 10505 Old Stage Road, Garner (7 days a week, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.)
📍Convenience Center Site 2, 6120 Old Smithfield Road, Apex (7 days a week, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.)
📍Convenience Center Site 4, 3600 Yates Mill Pond Road, Raleigh (7 days a week, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.)
📍Convenience Center Site 11, 5051 Wendell Blvd., Wendell (7 days a week, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.)
📍Blue Jay Point County Park, 3200 Pleasant Union Church Road, Raleigh (7 days a week, 8 a.m. to sunset)
📍Green Hills County Park, 9300 Deponie Drive, Raleigh (7 days a week, 8 a.m. to sunset)
📍Harris Lake County Park, 2112 County Park Drive, New Hill (7 days a week, 8 a.m. to sunset)
📍Lake Crabtree County Park, 1400 Aviation Parkway, Morrisville (7 days a week, 8 a.m. to sunset)
📍Beech Bluff County Park, 3321 NC Highway 42, Willow Spring (7 days a week, 8 a.m. to sunset)
🧹Trees must be undecorated
🧹Wreaths, garlands and other yard waste not accepted
🧹Flocked trees not mentioned
⚠️Last season (2025-26). This year's dates are not announced yet.
📄Source: Wake County Solid Waste Management page, read October 28, 2026.

Wake County, NC: Recycle Your Christmas Tree (Raleigh curbside)

🏛️Run by City of Raleigh Solid Waste Services
🗓️Christmas tree pickup runs from December 26 - February 1 (page published 12/16/2025, updated 1/5/2026)
💲Cost not stated
📍Curbside on yard waste collection day (City of Raleigh residents)
🧹Leave tree on the ground at the curb, not in trash, recycling or yard waste bin
🧹Remove all lights and decorations
🧹Only live trees; no artificial trees
🧹Christmas lights do not go in recycling
⚠️Last season (2025-26). This year's dates are not announced yet.
📄Source: City of Raleigh Solid Waste Services page, read October 28, 2026.

Riverside County, CA: Recycle your Christmas tree for free

🏛️Run by Riverside County Department of Waste Resources
🗓️Deadlines per site above; all landfills closed Dec. 25
💲Free
📍A. Lua Wood Recycling, 18938 Mermack Ave., Lake Elsinore (accepting until Jan. 3)
📍Badlands Landfill, 31125 Ironwood Ave., Moreno Valley (accepting until Jan. 4)
📍Blythe Landfill, 1000 Midland Road, Blythe (accepting until Jan. 4)
📍Lamb Canyon Landfill, 16411 Lamb Canyon Road, Beaumont (accepting until Jan. 4)
📍Oasis Landfill, 84-505 84th Avenue, Oasis (accepting until Jan. 8)
📍El Sobrante Landfill, 10910 Dawson Canyon Road, Corona (accepting until Jan. 11)
📍B. P. John Recycling, 28700 Matthews Road, Romoland (accepting until Jan. 11)
📍Burrtec/Coachella Transfer Station (Burrtec customers only), 87011 Landfill Road, #A, Coachella
📍Burrtec/Edom Hill Transfer Station (Burrtec customers only), 70100 Edom Hill Road, Cathedral City
📍Burrtec/Robert A. Nelson Transfer Station (Burrtec customers only), 1830 Agua Mansa Road, Riverside
🧹Remove all decorations, lights, tinsel and stands
🧹Flocked trees not accepted; cut up and put in trash
🧹Up to three properly prepared residential trees per drop-off
🧹Curbside: trees over 4 feet cut in half, next to or inside green-waste container
⚠️Older program. Newer dates were not found.
📄Source: Riverside County Department of Waste Resources page, read October 28, 2026.

Alameda County, CA: StopWaste RE:Source guide, Christmas trees (curbside by city and drop-off sites)

🏛️Run by StopWaste (Alameda County Waste Management Authority) guide; programs run by each city/hauler
🗓️Varies by city. Livermore single-family curbside Jan 5-16, 2026; Oakland curbside from first compost day after Dec 25 through second full week of January; Alameda city Dec 26 to Jan 31.
💲Varies; see locations
📍Berkeley Transfer Station, 1201 2nd St., Berkeley (Free for residents during designated holiday period)
📍Pleasanton Transfer Station, 3110 Busch Rd., Pleasanton (Free; separate for organics drop-off)
📍Tri-CED (Union City), address not printed in guide (Free, Tue to Sat 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Dec 26 to Jan 31; natural trees only)
📍Republic Services Fremont, 42600 Boyce Road, Fremont (During Fremont's two-week curbside period)
📍Fremont Recycling & Transfer Station, 41149 Boyce Rd., Fremont (Fee)
📍Davis Street (WM) Resource Recovery Complex, 2615 Davis St., San Leandro (Fee)
🧹Berkeley: remove lights, decorations, tinsel, plastic bags and plastic stands; flocked trees landfilled for a fee
🧹Livermore: flocked and artificial trees not accepted
🧹Oakland: flocked and artificial trees go to trash
⚠️The page shows no year. Confirm before you go.
📄Source: StopWaste page, read October 28, 2026.

Guilford County, NC: Christmas Tree Recycling

🏛️Run by Guilford County Environmental Services
🗓️December 26 through January 18 (no year printed)
💲Free for residents
📍Guilford County Farm (formerly Sheriff's Prison Farm), 7315 Howerton Road, Gibsonville (Mon to Sat, 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM)
🧹Remove all lights, decorations, bags, stands and covers
🧹No wreaths, garland or artificial trees (wire and staples damage chipper)
🧹No business waste
🧹Greensboro curbside: cut trees over 5 feet in half; (336) 373-2489
🧹Piedmont Triad Farmers Market and Tabernacle United Methodist Church sites discontinued
⚠️The page shows no year. Confirm before you go.
📄Source: Guilford County Environmental Services page, read October 28, 2026.

New Hanover County, NC: Christmas tree disposal and holiday recycling options

🏛️Run by City of Wilmington (curbside) and New Hanover County (drop-off)
🗓️Drop-off December 26 through January 31. City curbside on regular trash day.
💲Cost not stated
📍Home Depot, 5511 Carolina Beach Road, Wilmington
📍Home Depot, 210 Eastwood Road, Wilmington
📍New Hanover County landfill, 5210 US Highway 421 North
🧹Remove all decorations
🧹Place curbside trees separate from trash or recycling
🧹Artificial trees: schedule bulky item collection, 910.341.7875
⚠️Older program. Newer dates were not found.
📄Source: City of Wilmington page, read October 28, 2026.

🔎We will update this page as counties announce 2026-27 dates. If your county is missing, it does not mean there is no program; we have not found its page yet.

❓ Common Questions

When can I recycle my Christmas tree?

Most programs we found ran from December 26 into January. Last season, Wake County took trees from December 26 to January 31, Sacramento County held drop-off days on January 3 and 4, and San Diego ran from December 26 to January 16. This winter's dates are not announced yet.

Do I have to take the decorations off?

Yes. Every program we found asks for a bare tree: no lights, ornaments, tinsel, nails or stand, and no plastic bag.

Can I recycle a flocked tree?

Usually not. Sacramento County, Riverside County, Kern County and the City of Los Angeles do not take flocked trees for recycling. San Diego accepts them at its drop-off sites, and some Ventura County areas take them with organics.

What about artificial trees?

Artificial trees are not recycled with real trees. Mecklenburg County takes one artificial tree free at its recycling centers; elsewhere, use bulky item pickup or the trash.

Is it free?

Most drop-offs and curbside pickups we found are free for residents. Sacramento County needs a voucher for loads of more than 5 trees.

Is this verified?

Each program comes from the running organization's own page, read October 28, 2026. We have not confirmed them by phone.

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