How to Get Rid of a Christmas Tree
The tree comes down, the decorations go back in the box, and then the question is what to do with the tree itself. Here is every option, what to remove first, and the one thing you should never do with it.
The short answer
Most cities pick up real Christmas trees at the curb for a few weeks after the holidays, usually in January. Take off every light, ornament, hook and bit of tinsel, remove the stand and any plastic bag, and set the tree out on your collection day. You can also bring it to a town drop-off site that chips trees into mulch. Artificial trees are not recyclable at the curb, so donate a usable one or put it out with bulk trash. Never burn a Christmas tree in a fireplace.
6 ways to get rid of christmas trees
Curbside tree pickup
Usually included in city trash serviceMost cities collect real trees at the curb during set weeks in January. Strip all decorations, remove the stand and bag, and cut taller trees in half if your city asks for it.
Best for: One real tree
Tree drop-off and mulching (treecycling)
Usually freeMany towns and parks run drop-off sites that chip trees into mulch, and some give the mulch back to residents.
Best for: Missing the curbside window
Cut it up for your yard-waste bin
Free with yard-waste serviceCut the branches off and the trunk into short pieces so it fits your yard-waste bin or bags.
Best for: Cities without tree pickup
Reuse it outside
FreeBranches make mulch for garden beds, and the trunk and limbs can become brush shelter for birds. Some parks and coastal programs collect trees for erosion control or habitat projects.
Best for: Gardeners and anyone near a local reuse program
Artificial tree: donate or bulk trash
Free, varies by cityArtificial trees are mixed plastic and metal and are not accepted in curbside recycling. Donate one in good shape, or put it out on a bulk-trash day.
Best for: Artificial trees
Roll-off dumpster
From $495 for a 10 yard, all-inOne tree does not need a dumpster. A dumpster makes sense for tree lots, HOAs, venues and big post-holiday cleanouts with boxes, packaging and old decorations.
Best for: Tree lots, events and large holiday cleanouts
Overview
A real Christmas tree is easy to get rid of if you catch your city's pickup window, which usually runs for a few weeks in January. The rules are simple: the tree must be completely bare (no lights, ornaments, hooks, tinsel or flocking where programs refuse it), free of its stand, and out of any plastic tree bag, because the trees are chipped into mulch. If you miss the window, most towns have a drop-off site, or you can cut the tree down to fit your yard-waste bin. Artificial trees are a different story: they cannot be recycled at the curb, so donate a usable one or put it out with bulk trash. A dumpster only makes sense when there are many trees or a lot of holiday waste at once.
What Can and Cannot Go in a Dumpster
Accepted in a Dumpster
- Real cut trees, fully undecorated
- Artificial trees
Not recyclable at the curb, but fine in a dumpster.
- Tree stands (metal or plastic)
- Wreaths and garland
- Cardboard boxes and packaging
Break boxes down flat to save space.
- Wrapping paper and gift bags
Not Accepted / Special Handling Required
- Lithium batteries from toys and lights
They can start fires in a dumpster or truck. Take them to a battery recycling drop-off.
- Warm fireplace ashes
Hot embers can smolder for days. Let ashes cool completely in a metal container first.
- Propane cylinders and aerosol cans that are not empty
They can explode under compaction. Take them to a household hazardous waste site.
Best Dumpster Size for Christmas Trees
Recommended container sizes based on typical christmas trees project scope.
10 Yard
12' x 8' x 3.5' | 1 ton
A large post-holiday cleanout: boxes, packaging, old decorations and a few trees.
View Size Details20 Yard
22' x 7.5' x 4.5' | 2 tons
Tree lots, HOAs and venues clearing many trees at once. Trees are light but bulky, so volume runs out before weight.
View Size DetailsWeight Considerations
Average weight: 200 - 400 lbs per cubic yard (green waste)
Christmas trees are green waste, which is light for its size. Space fills up long before you reach the weight allowance, so the size of the box matters more than the weight.
Weight Tips
- Cut trees into a few pieces so they lie flat and leave fewer air gaps.
- Load trees first and pile boxes and lighter packaging on top.
- Break down every cardboard box flat to save space.
Disposal Tips for Christmas Trees
Strip it completely
Remove every light, ornament, hook and piece of tinsel. Trees with decorations left on are often rejected by mulching programs.
Lose the stand and the bag
Take off the stand and any plastic tree bag. Plastic cannot go through a wood chipper.
Check whether flocking is accepted
Many mulching programs refuse flocked (fake snow) trees. If yours does, put a flocked tree out with regular trash or bulk pickup.
Watch the calendar
Curbside tree pickup usually runs only for a few weeks in January. After that, use a drop-off site or cut the tree for your yard-waste bin.
Never burn it indoors
Dry evergreens burn very fast and throw sparks. Do not burn a Christmas tree in a fireplace or wood stove.
Disposal Regulations
Curbside tree collection dates, size limits and rules vary by city. Check your sanitation department's holiday schedule.
Many cities require trees to be cut to a maximum length for pickup.
Open burning of trees and yard waste is banned or restricted in most cities and suburbs.
Leaving a tree on public property or a vacant lot can be treated as illegal dumping.
Environmental Considerations
A bare real tree is fully recyclable: chipped into mulch or compost, it goes back into parks and gardens instead of a landfill. Artificial trees are mostly plastic and metal and usually end up in the trash, so keeping one in use for many years is the greener choice.
Eco-Friendly Disposal Tips
- Use your city's tree pickup or a drop-off mulching site instead of the trash.
- Ask whether your town gives the mulch back to residents.
- Keep an artificial tree in use as long as possible, then donate it while it still works.
- Recycle cardboard boxes and drop off dead string lights at a store or scrap program that takes them.
Ready to Rent a Dumpster for Christmas Trees?
Get an instant quote for the right dumpster size. Most orders delivered within 24 hours.
Which tools and prices help with christmas trees?
- Weight estimator: add up debris weight by material
- Cubic yard calculator: measure your debris pile
- Dumpster prices: live all-in prices by size
- Order online: get your exact price by ZIP
- Dumpster sizes: 10 to 40 yards compared
Sources
- U.S. EPA: Volume-to-weight conversion factors: Reference weights per cubic yard for common waste materials.
- U.S. EPA: Construction and demolition debris: National C&D generation and recycling figures.
- U.S. EPA: Household hazardous waste: What must stay out of the dumpster and where it goes.
How these numbers are set: weights per cubic yard are planning ranges for loose debris, consistent with the EPA conversion factors above; included tons are Ultimate Dumpsters' standard allowances by size. Real loads vary with moisture and packing.
Straight Talk From Our Team
“The weight estimator is the one I wish every customer used first. People size by how big the pile looks, but a load of concrete or dirt or wet drywall hits the tonnage limit while the box still looks half empty. Run the weight before you pick the size and the overage surprise just goes away. That is the whole reason we built it.”
Michael V.
Head of Operations, Ultimate Dumpsters. Weigh it before you pick the size
Christmas Trees Disposal FAQs
Common questions about disposing of christmas trees in a dumpster.
Most cities collect real trees at the curb for a few weeks after the holidays, usually during January. Your city's sanitation or public works page lists the exact dates and rules.
No. Dry evergreens burn extremely fast and throw sparks, which can start a chimney or house fire. Use curbside pickup or a drop-off site instead.
Artificial trees are not accepted in curbside recycling. Donate a usable one, or put it out on a bulk-trash day. During a larger cleanout it can go in a dumpster.
Often not. Many mulching programs refuse flocked trees, so check your city's rules. If it is not accepted, put it out with regular trash or bulk pickup.
Not for one tree. Curbside pickup or a drop-off site is easier. A dumpster makes sense for tree lots, HOAs, venues and big post-holiday cleanouts.
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