Christmas Tree Recycling Urged to Ease Fire Threat

In the time it takes to say “Call 911!” that dried-out Christmas tree in the living room can go from spark to inferno, fire officials said this week.

They urge residents to avoid fire hazards by getting rid of their Christmas trees.

“If a tree is extremely dry, it could burn in seconds,” said Los Angeles County Fire Inspector Mike Brown. “Every year we can almost guarantee we will have one or two house fires caused by dry Christmas trees.”

If a needle from the tree snaps instead of bends, the tree is too dry and should be discarded as soon as possible, Brown said. The city of Los Angeles and many neighboring communities offer curbside and drop-off recycling programs as an alternative to hauling trees to landfills.

In the city of Los Angeles, uncut trees may be dropped off for recycling from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and Jan. 6 and 7 at the following sites:

* Los Angeles Zoo in Griffith Park

* Branford Park, 13300 Branford St., Arleta

* Sunland Park, 8651 Foothill Blvd.

* Balboa Sports Center, 17015 Burbank Blvd., Encino

* Chatsworth Park South, 22360 Devonshire St.

* Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N. Highland Blvd.

* Highland Park Senior Citizen Center, 6200 York Blvd.

* Rancho Cienega Recreation Center, 5001 Rodeo Road, Crenshaw

* Westchester Municipal Building, 7166 W. Manchester Ave.

* Cheviot Hills Recreation Center, 2551 Motor Ave., Rancho Park

* South Park, 345 E. 51st St., South-Central

* Harbor Regional Park, 25820 Vermont Ave., Harbor City

Flocked trees cannot be recycled but should be cut up and placed in residents’ black trash containers.

* Residents of unincorporated Los Angeles County areas may call (888) CLEAN LA for recycling locations and to find out if curbside recycling is available in their neighborhoods.