What to do with your Christmas tree in Indianapolis this holiday season

Another holiday season is coming to a close and it’s almost time to bring the house back to its pre-yuletide order. But what do we do with the Christmas tree?

Consider these options for your real and artificial trees.

Real trees

Marion County residents can drop off their real Christmas trees for recycling at seven locations across the county from Christmas Day until Jan. 31. The trees will be mulched into soil blends.

To recycle your tree, drop it off at one of these Indianapolis Department of Public Works locations:

Ellenberger Park, 5301 E. St. Clair St. You can drop the tree off at the northeast corner by the pool.
Garfield Park, 2432 Conservatory Dr. Trees can be dropped off in front of the MacAllister Amphitheater.
Northwestway Park, 5253 W. 62nd St. The drop off location is to the left of the entrance.
Perry Park, 451 E. Stop 11 Road. Trees can be dropped off at the Stop 11 main entrance.
Riverside Park, 2420 E. Riverside Drive. Trees can be dropped off by the basketball court.
Sahm Park, 6801 E. 91st St. Trees can be dropped off near the recycling bins.
Riverwood Park, 7201 Crittenden Ave.

The trees should be bare, and all tree stands, ornaments, tinsel, lights and decorations must be removed.

You can also recycle your tree in other ways, like paying someone to take it off your hands. Companies such as Fire Dawgs Junk Removal can remove the tree and recycle it for around $80.

If you prefer to keep the tree, there are a variety of ways you can reuse it, such as creating a living bird feeder or making pine needle tea.

Artificial trees

You can get rid of your artificial tree by throwing it away or finding new uses for it.

Artificial trees are often made of metal, plastics and other oil-based chemicals. To get rid of it, simply put the tree back in its box and add it to your weekly trash collection.

You can also upcycle your artificial tree to make other products for next year’s holiday season, such as wreaths and garland.

Mirror Indy reporter Enrique Saenz covers west Indianapolis. Contact him at 317-983-4203 or enrique.saenz@mirrorindy.org. Follow him on X @heyEnriqueSaenz