Recycled trees: Wikipedia commons

Recycled trees: Wikipedia commons

Some of us shamelessly display each holiday season a kitschy four-foot tall plastic Christmas tree (with built in lights, mind you) acquired at a 2008 After Christmas Sale at Walgreens. If this is you, move along. There is nothing for you here.

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For those loyal to the Real Christmas Tree and its aromatic yet temporary glory, now is about the time you begin finding pine needles stuck stubbornly and in abundance to socks and sweater sleeves and that once awesome evergreen turning brown.

Until a couple of years ago, Flag Pole Hill was the place for Lake Highlanders to recycle those authentic buds, but as I was reminded yesterday via massive signage in two languages, said hill is no longer an acceptable tree depository.

So, say you were being a good human and lugged your tree all the way to the hilltop only to be met with the “This is no longer a tree drop-off site” sign and now need an alternative, we have you covered.

Three nearby Home Depots will recycle your tree through Jan. 7. Remember to remove all tinsel, ornaments, lights, nails and tree stands.

11255 Garland Road (Lochwood at Garland)

6000 Skillman (Skillman at Northwest)

11682 Forest Central Drive (Forest and Central Expressway)

Of course you also could just dump the thing at your own curb during the upcoming bulk trash season.

You might be wondering, “Why, if I can place my tree in bulk trash, would I haul it to a recycling center?” Glad you asked. Based on (admittedly sparse) research, it seems that while placing your tree on the curb is not necessarily a faux pas, recycling is the more environmentally friendly option, because old trees can be used as mulch, a soil additive that promotes growth of new and alive plants, and, obviously, the less waste we send to the dump the better. (See our in-depth story about garbage here.)

Other uses for recycles trees include goat food, coastal erosion prevention and bird feeder or rooster.