What to Do With That Christmas Tree

It’s almost New Year’s now, 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--provides 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 through Jan. 8. For mulching, take tree to Disposal Services Co., 1131 N. Blue Gum St. Call (714) 630-8610 for hours.

Brea: Curbside pickup 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 through Monday. For mulching, take tree to the city yard at 7102 Thomas St. Call (714) 522-3577 for hours.

Costa Mesa: Curbside pickup through Jan. 8.

Cypress: Curbside pickup from Monday through Jan. 8.

Dana Point: Curbside pickup 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 through Jan. 8.

Fullerton: Curbside pickup through Jan. 8. For mulching, take tree to Hillcrest Park, 1155 N. Lemon St. Call (714) 568-4860 for hours.

Garden Grove: Curbside pickup through Jan. 8. For mulching, take tree to Disposal Services Co., 1131 N. Blue Gum St. in Anaheim. Call (714) 630-8610 for hours.

Huntington Beach: Curbside pickup through Jan. 8.

Irvine: Curbside pickup 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 through Jan. 8. For mulching, take tree to City Hall, 505 Forest Ave. Call (714) 497-3311 for hours.

Laguna Hills: Curbside pickup through Jan. 8. For mulching, take tree to Laguna Niguel Regional Park at 28241 La Paz Road. Call (714) 568-4860 for hours.

Laguna Niguel: Curbside pickup 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 through Jan. 8.

La Habra: Curbside pickup through Jan. 8. For mulching, take tree to La Bonita Park, 1440 W. Whittier. Call (714) 568-4860 for hours.

La Palma: Curbside pickup from Monday through Jan. 8.

Los Alamitos: Curbside pickup on Wednesday or Jan. 6.

Mission Viejo: No curbside pickup of trees. Take tree to recycling lot at northwest corner of Los Altos and La Alameda 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 through Jan. 8.

Orange: Curbside pickup through Jan. 7.

Placentia: Curbside pickup through Jan. 8. For mulching, take tree to Disposal Services Co., 1131 N. Blue Gum St. in Anaheim. For hours, call (714) 630-8610.

San Clemente: Curbside pickup through Jan. 8.

San Juan Capistrano: Curbside pickup through Jan. 8.

Santa Ana: Curbside pickup through Jan. 8.

Seal Beach: Curbside pickup from Monday through Jan. 8.

Stanton: Curbside pickup from Monday through Jan. 8.

Tustin: Curbside pickup through Jan. 8.

Villa Park: Curbside pickup through Jan. 8. For mulching, take tree to Disposal Services Co., 1131 N. Blue Gum St. in Anaheim. For hours, call (714) 630-8610.

Westminster: Curbside pickup through Jan. 8.

Yorba Linda: Curbside pickup through Jan. 8. For mulching, take tree to Disposal Services Co., 1131 N. Blue Gum St. in Anaheim. For hours, call (714) 630-8610.

Countywide Mulching Services

The Orange County Integrated Waste Management Department is sponsoring a free tree recycling program. Bring a bag to carry home the mulch. The service will be offered Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Trees should be cleaned of any ornaments, nails or tree stand.

Laguna Niguel Regional Park, 28241 La Paz Road, Laguna Niguel.

Mason Regional Park, 18712 University Drive, Irvine.

Los Angeles Times

Sources: County of Orange, individual cities, disposal companies; researched by APRIL JACKSON