Many people prefer natural Christmas trees for the holiday season, but there's always a question of what to do with a tree that has run its course. Do you bag it for the garbage man⢠Do you throw it over a hill in the backyard⢠Do you use it for mulch? According to statistics from Nancy DiGuiseppe, of Westmoreland Cleanways, it is estimated that nationally, 93 percent of people who buy real trees recycle them. There are many ways trees can be reused. Just don't burn it in your fireplace. Steve Brachman, a waste reduction and management specialist with the University of Wisconsin-Extension, offers tips for expired trees. Brachman said trees can be placed in one's yard as a shelter for birds and small animals, deposited at the bottom of ponds as a refuge and feeding area for fish, or placed in a chipper and used for mulch. Dave Vargo, owner of Arnold Feed and Garden Center in New Kensington, agreed with Brachman's comments. He said sporting clubs, hunting clubs and municipalities often will provide services that facilitate tree recycling. "Some municipalities offer programs where you can drop off your tree and have it shredded for mulch," Vargo said. Allegheny Township and Lower Burrell offer tree recycling service. In Allegheny Township, trees can be deposited at the Public Works Facility at 1169 School Road. Dave Saboslay, township manager, said residents are encouraged to use the program, and it is best if trees are dropped off in early January so all of the trees can be shredded at once. Soboslay said that, on average, 50 to 60 trees a year are deposited. Butler County offers a similar service. The Sunnyview Home Complex on McCune Drive in Butler Township acts as a tree depository through Jan. 31. Trees can be deposited across the road from the Sunnyview Home. Frank Trozzi, Lower Burrell councilman in charge of parks and public works, said trees can be dropped off behind the Lower Burrell city hall for shredding. Trozzi added that shredding of this nature is available year-round. "We're going to create a general mulch pile for residents of Lower Burrell," Trozzi said. "It's not landscape quality mulch, but it might be helpful." The other option, which is tree disposal, is somewhat limited. Not all sanitation companies collect Christmas trees from the curb. For example, Shank Sanitation does not offer Christmas tree pick up. And Vogel Disposal Service offers one bulk item pick up for customers in Harrison, which may be used for a Christmas tree. Additional Information:
Where to recycle your tree
Butler County • Where: Sunnyview Home complex, McCune Drive, off of Route 356, Butler Township. • When: Open drop-off through January. • Contact: Sheryl Kelly, 724-284-5300. Westmoreland County Allegheny Township • Where: Maintenance Building, Phillips Lane. • When: Open drop-off through Jan. 13. • Contact: Steve Kansas, 724-842-4641. Lower Burrell • Who: Burrell High School Environmental Club members. • Where: Municipal Building. • When: Jan. 7 and 14, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Murrysville • Who: Murrysville/Export Rotary members. • Where: Alltel Building, Old William Penn Highway. • When: Jan. 7 and 14, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. • Contact: Gary Ross, 724-733-3113.
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