Countywide : What to Do With That Christmas Tree

It’s the day after Christmas, and for most folks that means grappling with what to do with the Christmas tree. For curbside collection, trees taller than four feet should be cut in half and bundled. Before taking a tree to the curb or the recycling lot, remember to remove the stand, any nails, tinsel and ornaments. Flocked, painted or artificial trees cannot be mulched. In most cases, trees are mulched and used in city parks and greenbelts.

The county--and some cities--provide residential mulching services. Take a bag for the mulch. If a mulching service is not listed with your city, take the tree to one of the countywide mulching programs. Anaheim: Curbside pickup from Dec. 28 through Jan. 8. For mulching, take tree to Disposal Services Co., at 1131 N. Blue Gum St. in Anaheim. Call (714) 630-8610 for hours. Brea: Curbside pickup from Dec. 28 through Jan. 8. For mulching, take tree to Disposal Services Co., at 1131 N. Blue Gum St. in Anaheim. Call (714) 630-8610 for hours. Buena Park: Curbside pickup from Dec. 26 through Jan. 4. For mulching, take tree to the city yard at 7102 Thomas St. Call (714) 522-3577 for hours. Costa Mesa: Curbside pickup from Dec. 28 through Jan. 8. Cypress: Curbside pickup from Jan. 4 through 8. Dana Point: Curbside pickup from Dec. 28 through Jan. 8. For mulching, take tree to Capistrano Bay Parks and Recreation District at 34052 Del Obispo St. or Salt Creek Beach Park at 23841 Stonehill Drive. Call (714) 240-0446 for hours. Fountain Valley: Curbside pickup from Dec. 28 through Jan. 8. Fullerton: Curbside pickup from Dec. 26 through Jan. 8. For mulching, take tree to Hillcrest Park, 1155 N. Lemon St. Call (714) 568-4860 for hours. Garden Grove: Curbside pickup from Dec. 28 through Jan. 8. For mulching, take tree to Disposal Services Co., at 1131 N. Blue Gum St. in Anaheim. Call (714) 630-8610 for hours. Huntington Beach: Curbside pickup from Dec. 28 through Jan. 8. Irvine: Curbside pickup from Dec. 28 through Jan. 8. For mulching, take tree to the City Yard, 15029 Sand Canyon Ave. or William R. Mason Regional Park, 18712 University Drive. Call (714) 857-1170 for hours. Laguna Beach: Curbside pickup from Dec. 28 through Jan. 8. For mulching, take tree to the City Hall, at 505 Forest Ave. Call (714) 497-3311 for hours. Laguna Niguel: Curbside pickup from Dec. 28 through Jan. 8. For mulching, take tree to Laguna Niguel Regional Park at 28241 La Paz Road. Call (714) 568-4860 for hours. Lake Forest: Curbside pickup from Dec. 28 through Jan. 8. La Habra: Curbside pickup from Dec. 28 through Jan. 8. For mulching, take tree to La Bonita Park, at 1440 W. Whittier. Call (714) 568-4860 for hours. La Palma: Curbside pickup from Jan. 4 through 8. Los Alamitos: Curbside pickup on Dec. 30 or Jan. 6. Mission Viejo: No curbside pickup of trees. Take tree to recycling lot, at the northwest corner of Los Altos and La Alameda, from Dec. 26 through Jan. 10. Weekday hours: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; weekend hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Newport Beach: Curbside pickup from Dec. 28 through Jan. 8. Orange: Curbside pickup from Dec. 28 through Jan. 7. Placentia: Curbside pickup from Dec. 28 through Jan. 8. For mulching, take tree to Disposal Services Co., at 1131 N. Blue Gum St. in Anaheim. For hours, call (714) 630-8610. San Clemente: Curbside pickup from Dec. 28 through Jan. 8. San Juan Capistrano: Curbside pickup from Dec. 28 through Jan. 8. Santa Ana: Curbside pickup from Dec. 28 through Jan. 8. Seal Beach: Curbside pickup from Jan. 4 through 8. Stanton: Curbside pickup from Jan. 4 through 8. Tustin: Curbside pickup from Dec. 28 through Jan. 8. Villa Park: Curbside pickup from Dec. 28 through Jan. 8. For mulching, take tree to Disposal Services Co., at 1131 N. Blue Gum St. in Anaheim. For hours, call (714) 630-8610. Westminster: Curbside pickup from Dec. 28 through Jan. 8. Yorba Linda: Curbside pickup from Dec. 28 through Jan. 8. For mulching, take tree to Disposal Services Co., at 1131 N. Blue Gum St. in Anaheim. For hours, call (714) 630-8610. Countywide Mulching Services The County of Orange Integrated Waste Management Department is sponsoring a free tree recycling program for residents. Bring a bag to carry home the mulch. The services will be offered on Jan. 2 and 3 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Trees should be cleaned of any ornaments, nails or tree stand. Laguna Niguel Regional Park, at 28241 La Paz Road, Laguna Niguel Mason Regional Park, at 18712 University Drive, Irvine Sources: County of Orange, individual cities, disposal companies

Researched by APRIL JACKSON / Los Angeles Times