Ann Arbor residents have several options for disposing of Christmas trees — but curbside pickup isn't one of them
If you're ready to toss your Christmas tree as soon as the last relative walks out the door, Ann Arbor's tree drop-off station is open 24 hours a day until Jan. 31.
But remember — you can't drag them to the curb this year.
This year, Ann Arbor residents have to drop their trees off or cut them up instead of relying on curbside pick-up.
File photo
Undecorated Christmas trees can be dropped off for free in the parking lot adjacent to the drop-off station at 2950 E. Ellsworth Road from now through Monday, Jan. 31. Beginning in February, Christmas trees must be delivered to the drop-off station during normal operating hours, Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., for a small fee.
This year, the city canceled its curbside collection of Christmas trees to save money.
Residents also can cut and tie their trees into bundles and hold on to them for the beginning of compost-collection season, which starts the first Monday in April.
Ann Arbor residents can also deliver up to one cubic yard — 6 paper yard waste bags — of acceptable yard debris, including trees, at no charge to the municipal Compost Center at 4150 Platt Road. It's open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The collected evergreen trees are chipped into mulch or composted. Trees must have all tree stands, nails, ornaments, tinsel, and plastic bags removed. Any metal, glass or plastic ornaments left on the tree can ruin the processing equipment, harm the operators and spoil the landscaping mulch.
Since wreaths and evergreen roping are generally made with wire or plastic backing, those items should be placed inside trash carts, the city said.
For information on Ann Arbor's solid waste services, visit the city’s website at www.a2gov.org/compost.
Comments
dading dont delete me bro
Sun, Dec 26, 2010 : 6:34 p.m.
i'll take note to cut it up and put put it in trash bags inside a trash bin. problem solved. or i could put it in the back of that pick-up truck parked out front... decisions...decisions
aanative
Sun, Dec 26, 2010 : 5:25 p.m.
Dading: Sorry, but that idea is dadumb. Ann Arborites know that curbside trash removal is via waste-bin, and Solid Waste Dept. won't (and shouldn't) accept compostible items for the landfill. Here's an idea: Artificial reusable trees.
dading dont delete me bro
Sun, Dec 26, 2010 : 4:03 p.m.
i left a suggestion, but apparently it's not relevant to the story. leave them on the curb. the trash pick up can get mine. maynot go to the recycle center for compost, but will end up in a landfill composting anyway. -dading!
AlphaAlpha
Sun, Dec 26, 2010 : 8:24 a.m.
~25,000 trees ~1,000 face cords ~$100,000 Cash.
AlphaAlpha
Sat, Dec 25, 2010 : 11:24 p.m.
"Solution: Community bonfire. " Excellent idea. When and where? Maybe at the new Hurinal sculpture?
treetowncartel
Sat, Dec 25, 2010 : 9:12 p.m.
Place them out in the backyard for the remaining winter months. They make great cover for birds and the like, and then come spring time prune those branches off for some good kindling to start a nice little fire.
golfer
Sat, Dec 25, 2010 : 6:59 p.m.
great we stopped doing crubside pu because we are saving money. but will keep huron hill open losing 250k a year. way to go city.
timjbd
Sat, Dec 25, 2010 : 6:20 p.m.
Is anybody cooking with them? http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/25/opinion/25redzepi.html?hp
sacmalama
Sat, Dec 25, 2010 : 5:15 p.m.
Matthaei Botanical Gardens in Ann Arbor is recycling evergreen trees. Here is related information taken from its website: ------ Holiday Tree-cycling at Matthaei Botanical Gardens Recycle your tree and help support a great childrens garden. From January 1 through 9, 2011, Matthaei Botanical Gardens is accepting all cut evergreen holiday trees (no lights, ornaments, or other decorations, please). Only $5 per tree, with all proceeds going toward the Gaffield Childrens Garden at the Botanical Gardens. Even better, your donated tree will be shredded and used as mulch on our property. Call 734.647.7600, or visit the website (www.mbgna.umich.edu) for more information on how and where to drop your tree off.
AlphaAlpha
Sat, Dec 25, 2010 : 5:10 p.m.
Surely there are some entrepreneurs out there removing trees for a reasonable fee? A favorite business model: charge person a to remove 'waste', charge person b to provide that same waste (renamed raw material). Several uses for the trees; at the very least, deliver them to tent dwellers for their 6700 btu / lb.