Tyler and Longview Christmas Tree Drop-Off Spots You Need to Know

(East Texas) Your house has been smelling like a pine tree for the past month or so, thanks to the real tree that you purchased or chopped down yourself to serve as your symbol of the Christmas season.

You adorned it with lights, garland, and ornaments. You placed a bundle of presents underneath and around it. You kept that tree watered, for the most part, and now it's time to take it all down and out of the house. Mainly because it's drying out a bit, and the needles are starting to fall off, causing a bit of a mess on the tile or carpet.

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Why Recycle Your Christmas Tree?

Now, what are you going to do with that Balsam, Frasier, Douglas Fir, or Spruce Pine tree? Recycle it, of course!

Your once beautiful tree could be turned into a fish habitat in a Tyler area lake.

After you decide to undecorate the tree, whether it's December 26 or January 2, you can take that tree to one of the recycling drop-off locations in Tyler, where it could be turned into a fish habitat in an area lake or turned into mulch for the parks department.

READ MORE --> Fish For Rainbow Trout At Tyler Nature Center This January

Where to Drop Off Your Tree in Tyler

Beginning Friday, December 26, residents may drop off undecorated, non-flocked trees at the designated spots in Fun Forest Park or Golden Road Park in Tyler. Trees must be free of decorations, garland, and lights. These drop-off locations will be available to residents free of charge through January 14.

Now, if you set your tree curbside for the City of Tyler Solid Waste Department to pick up on normal trash days, it WILL NOT be recycled.

How Recycled Trees Help Fish & Parks

Recycled trees in the designated areas are available for area fishermen/fisherwomen to pick up for use in ponds and lakes to create a fish habitat. The City of Tyler says,

'Small fish eat the aquatic insects that find a home in the tree branches. The fish also use the trees as a hiding place. As a result, fishing is improved around the recycled trees because more fish congregate in these areas.'

Christmas Tree Recycling Drop-Off Locations:

• Golden Road Park - located at McDonald Rd. and Golden Rd.
• Fun Forest Park - located in the 900 block of N. Glenwood Blvd.

The last day to drop off trees will be January 14. Just look for the signs that say 'Christmas Tree Drop-Off'.

Christmas Light Recycling

In partnership with Caldwell Zoo, these locations will also be accepting broken string lights, as long as they are separated from the tree. Lights can be dropped off at either Parks location or the Caldwell Zoo. Proceeds from the donations will serve as a fundraiser for their Lion program.

Longview Christmas Tree Recycling

You may take your tree to the City Of Longview Compost Site at 2020 Swinging Bridge Road or set it curbside, completely undecorated, with other yard waste, and the city will pick it up. Trees must be unflocked, undecorated, and 4 feet from any other trash or recycling bin.