When the holidays come to an end, it’s time to safely dispose of all those Christmas trees that have been drying out over the last month. Once dried, Christmas trees essentially become instant fuel. The oils contained in live coniferous trees make it easy to ignite without a serious source of spark.
According to the United States National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 2017 Christmas Tree fact sheet, U.S. fire departments responded to about 200 house fires from combusting Christmas trees between 2011–2015 each year.
These fires caused an average of 6 civilian deaths, 16 injuries, and $14.8 million in direct property damage. As a homeowner, your best bet is to ensure that your tree stays well watered while its in your home and is quickly recycled once the holiday season is over.
If you’re a Houston, TX resident, the Houston Solid Waste department handles tree disposal and removal. Here’s where you can recycle your Christmas tree this year.
Houston Christmas Tree Recycling Locations
OPEN Wednesday – Sunday 9am to 6pm
- Central Neighborhood Depository – 2240 Central St.
- Kirkpatrick Neighborhood Depository – 5565 Kirkpatrick
- Sommermeyer Neighborhood Depository – 14400 Sommermeyer
- N. Main Neighborhood Depository – 9003 N. Main
- Southwest Neighborhood Depository – 10785 SW Freeway
- Sunbeam Neighborhood Depository – 5100 Sunbeam
OPEN DAILY, 9am to 6pm
- Kingwood (Branch Library)– Bens View Lane @ Bens Branch Drive
- Doss Park (gates close at 5) – 2500 Frick Road (County Park)
- Memorial Park (Ball Fields 4 and 5) – 7300 Memorial Drive
- T.C. Jester Park – 4200 T.C. Jester West
- Elington Airport Recycling Drop-off –HWY 3@ Brantley Road
OPEN Monday – Saturday 8am to 5pm (Westpark Closed Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019)
- Westpark Consumer Recycling Center – 5900 Westpark
LIVING EARTH – MON-FRI 7:00am to 5:00pm and Saturday 7:00am – 12pm
- Living Earth will be closed Monday, December 31, 2018 and Tuesday, January 1, 2019
- Living Earth – 5802 Crawford Rd.
- Living Earth – 1503 Industrial Dr, Missouri City
- Living Earth – 1700 Highway 90A East, Richmond
- Living Earth – 12202 Cutten Road
- Living Earth – 16138 Highway 6
- Living Earth – 5210 S. Sam Houston Pkwy E
- Living Earth – 27733 Katy Freeway, Katy TX
- Living Earth – 10310 Beaumont Highway
- Living Earth – 17555 I-45 South, Conroe TX
- Living Earth -20611 US Hwy 59, New Caney TX
- Living Earth – 1000 FM 1266, Dickinson TX
- Living Earth – 16955 Katy- Hockley Rd
- Living Earth – 9306 FM 523, Freeport TX
For specific information on tree recycling and holiday waste disposal in The Woodlands, TX, click here.