Recycling Programs for Christmas Trees Offered

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 are urging residents to avoid creating a fire hazard by getting rid of their Christmas trees.

“If a tree is extremely dry, it could burn in seconds,” Los Angeles County Fire Inspector Mike Brown said. “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 bending, it is too dry and should be discarded as soon as possible, Brown said. Rather than haul it to a local landfill, the city of Los Angeles and many neighboring communities offer curbside and drop-off recycling programs. Recycled trees will be ground into mulch and compost, officials said.

Cities are offering these services:

* Palmdale and Santa Clarita: Uncut trees can be placed at the curb beside trash and green waste containers for collection through Jan. 6 and through Jan. 12 in Lancaster.

* Burbank: Curb and alley tree collection will continue through Jan. 12. Trees also may be dropped off through Jan. 14 at Brace Canyon Park, 2850 Haven Way, or Verdugo Park, 3201 W. Verdugo Ave.

* Glendale: Residents of single-family homes may place trees at the curb next to their waste containers until Jan. 12. Apartment and condominium residents should call (818) 548-3916 for collection information.

* Agoura Hills and Calabasas: Trees should be cut in half and placed with green waste for collection until Jan. 12. In Calabasas, waste haulers will cut trees for a $15 fee.

* San Fernando: Residents may leave their uncut trees at curbside through Friday during regular collection days.

* Los Angeles County: Residents of unincorporated areas may call (888) CLEAN LA with questions on recycling sites and curbside recycling.

* City of Los Angeles: Residents should place their cut-up trees in their green yard-trimmings containers.

Flocked trees cannot be recycled but should be cut up and placed in the black trash containers. Judith Wilson, director of the city’s sanitation bureau, said it is illegal to leave trees at curbside or in alleys.

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 Valley 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.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

Tree Drop Off Sites, Los Angeles Times