All tree stands, nails, ornaments, tinsel and plastic bags must be removed and discarded before leaving the tree at the drop-off site or at the curb. The collected evergreen trees are chipped into mulch or composted. Any metal, glass or plastic ornaments left on the tree can ruin the processing equipment, harm the operators, and spoil the landscaping mulch.

In the event that street snow or ice buries the trees and hampers collection, the trees will not be able to be collected until after a thaw. Since wreaths and evergreen roping are generally made with wire or plastic backing, these items should be placed inside trash carts.

Residents may wait for the weekly spring curbside compost collection to return starting April 5, 2010. The trees may be cut—and tied into a bundle—or placed inside a compost cart for curbside Compostable collection. Ann Arbor residents may also deliver up to 1 cubic yard (6 paper yard waste bags) of acceptable yard debris, including trees at no charge per visit to the municipal Compost Center, 734.794.6380, open week days 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Residents must check into the MRF scalehouse before depositing the materials. Non-residents will be assessed a disposal fee.

For 24-hour information on Ann Arbor's solid waste services, please phone 99-GREEN (734-994-7336) - or view the city’s Web site at www.a2gov.org/compost.

Nancy Stone is Communications Liaison for the Public Services Area at the City of Ann Arbor and can be reached at nstone@a2gov.org. More information on the city's solid waste programs is posted at www.a2gov.org/recycle.