LANSING — If you’re tired of watering that live Christmas tree, it’s time to dump it.
There are a number of ways to recycle your tree this year. Many cities and municipalities offer removal services that are often as simple as putting out a tree on your trash day.
But there’s some work first: remove any decorations, lights or wires. Also, don’t bother bagging it and cut the tree into segments of 6 feet or less if it is a tall tree. The trees will generally be mulched and used in the cities and townships.
Brandon and Katie Hirt and their daughter Ruby, 3, of Grand Ledge, walk among the Christmas trees with photographer Makayla Hadley, at Peacock Road Family Farm in Laingsburg on Saturday, November 23, 2024.
Lansing
City residents can have their tree shredded by leaving it at the curb during normal collection days. The city has not yet announced the exact dates, but will accept trees starting in January.
As in previous years, the city is asking to limit tree length to 4 feet, requiring nearly all trees to be cut down at least once.
East Lansing
The city is offering curbside pickup of real Christmas trees from January 6 to 17.
No phone calls or stickers required, just leave it at the curb or drop it off at one of these centers:
The trees will be shredded and the mulch will be used in East Lansing parks or donated to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, which uses the mulch for rabbit habitat.
Meridian Church
Nancy Moore Park, 1960 Gaylord C. Smith Court, in Haslett, Borough, is open until sunrise December 26 through January 31 for the drop off of natural Christmas trees or wreaths.
Reclaimed by design
Meridian Township’s recycling center is operated by Reclaimed by Design, and the private company accepts trees year-round for a fee.
Natural trees cost $5 if they are 6 feet or less and $10 if they are larger. Artificial trees range from $5 to $15 depending on size. The center also accepts yard waste ($20 per cubic yard or $3 for a compostable bag) and general waste ($25 per cubic yard or $3 for a 30 gallon bag).
The center is open on Mondays and Fridays from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM; Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The center is closed on December 24, 25, 26 and 31 and January 31.
Delta municipality
Delta Township residents can dispose of natural Christmas trees from December 26 through January 31 at the Delta Township Recycling Center, 5717 Millett Hwy., on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Wednesdays from noon to 6 p.m.
The trees will be shredded and used for various green projects in the municipality.
As in previous years, the Parks and Recreation Maintenance Building will still house a collection, but access will be limited due to construction work at the site.
Waving
The community offers waste disposal via curbside collection on regular trash days, rather than through alleys.
Wreaths and garlands are also collected.
State Christmas tree
The state’s Christmas tree, located outside the Capitol, is a 60-foot fir donated by an Eagle family.
If you have a 60 foot tree, this is how the professionals dispose of their tree.
When the time comes, the Lansing Board of Water and Light will remove the lights and wires and the city’s forestry department will take apart the tree, said Matt White, the capital’s facilities director.
He said much of the log will often be given to the Great Lakes Timber Professionals Association or another organization, where experts can convert the wood into benches or other projects.
The branches and smaller parts will be shredded and used for mulch in the region, White said, not unlike most 6-foot trees that homeowners recycle.
Contact Mike Ellis at mellis@lsj.com or 517-267-0415
This article originally appeared in Lansing State Journal: How to dispose of your Christmas tree, from curbside pickup to drop-off locations
