Free Self-Serve Christmas Tree Recycling

myFOXdetroit.com - Oakland County Parks and Recreation makes holiday cleanup easy and “green” with Christmas Tree Recycling at 11 park locations. Free self-serve Christmas Tree Recycling is available seven days a week from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

From Dec. 26 - Jan. 16 Christmas tree recycling will be available at: Addison Oaks in Leonard; Catalpa Oaks in Southfield; Glen Oaks Golf Course in Farmington Hills; Groveland Oaks near Holly; Independence Oaks in Clarkston; Lyon Oaks in Lyon Township; Orion Oaks in Orion Township; Red Oaks Golf Course in Madison Heights; Springfield Oaks in Davisburg; Waterford Oaks in Waterford; and White Lake Oaks Golf Course near Pontiac. From Dec. 26 - Jan. 30 Christmas tree recycling will be available at Independence Oaks and Orion Oaks only.

There is no charge to drop off trees. All decorations, plastic, tinsel and wire must be removed. Large quantities from commercial lots will not be accepted. The parks system processes trees to make compost and wood chips, which will be available to the public free of charge in 2012.

“Oakland County Parks and Recreation has always encouraged citizens to recycle their Christmas trees. Every year, 50 million trees are purchased in the United States. Of those, about 30 million go in landfills. Now, more than ever we recognize the need for positive environmental practices,” said Executive Officer Dan Stencil. “Recycling Christmas trees is just one small but important way to maintain the cycle of reusing what otherwise might be thrown into a landfill.”

Free tree seedlings will be given in the spring at Waterford Oaks Greenhouse to those who recycle their Christmas tree through the recycle program. To learn more about the Christmas tree recycling program, visit