Give your Christmas tree a second life

After your Christmas tree has given you the gift of filling your home with its piney scent, you can return the favor by ensuring that it stays out of the landfill and instead returns to the earth as mulch or compost. All you have to do is set your tree out on the curb on your regularly scheduled collection day, starting the day after Christmas. If you don’t have curbside service, you may drop your tree off at Zilker Metropolitan Park Polo Fields this weekend (Dec. 28-29) or next weekend (Jan. 4-5) between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. There are a few guidelines for recycling trees: If your tree is over 6 feet tall, it must be cut in half; trees sprayed with flocking, or artificial snow, will not be accepted; and all ornaments, decorations and lights must be removed, including the tree stand. Each year, the city provides curbside tree recycling for about 20,000 Christmas trees that are composted or turned into Dillo Dirt. If you’d like some of this Christmasy mulch, it will be available on a first-come, first-served basis on Thursday, Jan. 16. Find more information about Austin’s Christmas tree recycling program at AustinRecycles.com.