How To Dispose Of Your Christmas Tree In Warren

SOMERSET COUNTY — As the holiday season comes to a close and 2023 approaches, some Warren residents may be looking to remove their live Christmas trees. There are several ways to remove your trees in Somerset County:

The Somerset County Park Commission is hosting a free, live Christmas tree recycling program from Dec. 26, 2022 until Jan. 31, 2023. Trees can be dropped off from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at one of two locations:

• North Branch Park located at 355 Milltown Road, at the lighted baseball field, (Bridgewater)
• Colonial Park Gardens, located at 156 Mettlers Road, Parking Lot F, in Somerset (Franklin Township)

The recycled trees will be used for mulch and woodchips throughout the park system, officials said. Free mulch will be available at the drop-off sites on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Only natural trees will be accepted at Somerset County Park Commission drop-off sites, and only one tree per family will be accepted. Trees must be free of ornaments, wires, netting, and tinsel. Recycling wreaths and garlands also won’t be recycled.

Group deliveries from dealers won’t be permitted, either.

Some Home Depot locations farm rescues may also accept tree donations that are undecorated, untreated and green.

Fire officials recommend disposing of live trees after Christmas or when trees become dry. The National Fire Protection Association reports that dried-out trees present a fire hazard and can burn very quickly compared to watered trees. Live trees should also not be left in homes, garages or placed against a home.

The U.S. Fire Administration recommends keeping live trees at least three feet away from heat sources like fireplaces, radiators, space heaters, candles or heat vents, as more than 1 in every 5 Christmas tree fires were caused by a heat source too close to the tree.