Residents Urged to Participate in Tree Recycling

Los Angeles residents are urged to recycle their Christmas trees as soon as possible to help the environment and prevent fires.

“It’s not only in keeping with the Christmas spirit, but it’s in keeping with the environmental consciousness that our city leadership remains true to,” said Public Works Commissioner Frank Cardenas.

Residents with automated refuse collection service should chop up the trees and place them in their yard trimming bins for curbside pickup, Cardenas said.

Those without the automated pickup service can drop off trees at any of nine recycling sites around the city Saturday and Jan. 8, including the Highland Park Senior Citizen Center, the Rancho Cienega Sports Center in Mid-City and South Park in South-Central Los Angeles.

Fire Chief Donald Manning said getting drying trees out of the house as soon as possible will eliminate a potential fire hazard.

Seven years ago, when the program was started, the city collected about 2,800 trees. Last year, the number reached 56,000.

Trees must be stripped of ornaments, including tinsel. The trees will be recycled into wood chips, which will be used as fertilizer.

Other drop-off sites are at the Sunland Park and Recreation Center, the Balboa Sports Center in Encino, Branford Park in Panorama City, Harbor Regional Park in Harbor City, the Cheviot Hills Recreation Center in Rancho Park and the Westchester municipal building.