How To Get Rid Of Christmas Trees In Gaithersburg 2023

GAITHERSBURG, MD — As Christmas comes and goes, Gaithersburg residents will need to get rid of their live Christmas trees in the coming days.

When your Christmas tree needs to go out on the curb depends on when you got it, what condition it's in, and whether it was properly watered.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, trees that dry out can pose a fire hazard. The association recommends residents do not leave dried out trees inside homes or garages, or placed against the home outside.

Holiday trees are considered normal yard waste and will be collected from single family homes and townhouses on your weekly recycling day. There is no deadline for the collection of holiday trees. The city of Gaithersburg’s recycling contractor will collect holiday trees along with branches and other yard trimmings during the weekly recycling pick up throughout the year.

Follow these steps:

• Place the tree at the curb next to your recycling container by 7 a.m. on your weekly recycling day.
• Holiday trees must be in their natural state.
• Remove all decorations, including tinsel & angel hair.
• Be sure there is no metal attached to the tree.
• Do not wrap trees in plastic.
• Artificial trees will not be recycled.
• Trees with root balls will not be recycled.
• Trees will only be picked up from your residence. Do not take the trees to other sites such as schools or public buildings.

Montgomery County also suggests residents recycling Christmas tree branches and needles at home by placing them under trees and shrubs, or by chopping them up and adding them to a compost pile.

Residents of apartments and condominiums should check with their property manager or representative for specific recycling instructions.

Property managers of apartments and condominiums should make arrangements in advance for special collections. Christmas trees must be recycled based on Montgomery County Executive Regulation 1-15.

They should contact your solid waste/recycling collector or landscaping contractor to schedule special pick-ups in January and confirm that they recycle Christmas trees. Property managers also can self-haul the trees to the Shady Grove Processing Facility and Transfer Station.

Property managers also should notify their residents of the special collection schedule, so they know when and where to bring their trees, wreaths, and roping. Trees must not be placed in roll-off containers with bulk trash and other debris.