The holidays are almost over and now is the time to think about how you’re going to recycle your holiday tree.

Some folks no doubt bought live trees they hope to plant outside to enjoy all year round. But most of us enjoyed fresh cut trees.

Many communities, home improvement and other business hold special tree recycling drop off events where trees are chipped into mulch, rather than going to a landfill for disposal.

Checkout these potential options by going to the TreeCycling webpage on Earth 911. You can search for recycling locations by Zip Code and town name.

If you can’t find a recycling option near you, call your County Recycling Coordinator.

A discarded holiday tree can also provide shelter for land animals. Penn State Professor of Wildlife Ecology, Dr. Gary San Julian, said that recycled conifers supply thermal cover for birds and small mammals and are especially effective when stacked over larger woody materials. Some people create a supplemental bird feeder by decorating their discarded tree with suet, small fruits, and seeds.

One caution, trees dry out fast and can be a fire hazard, so be careful where and how you recycle them around your home or farm.

Here are some special TreeCycling events we came across:

PA CleanWays Westmoreland County TreeCycling Locations

Don’t Trash those Trees in York County

Lansdowne Tree Recycling Schedule

Centre County Tree Recycling

12/31/2004