Drop-off points scattered around west Houston area
By KIMBERLY PIÑA
Chronicle Correspondent
Katy-area residents looking to extend the life of their Christmas trees after the holidays can donate them to be recycled.
The city of Katy and Harris County offer tree recycling programs that allow residents to drop off bare Christmas trees to be recycled into mulch rather than throwing them away.
For residents living within Katy’s city limits, the public works department collects Christmas trees starting the first week of January, public works clerk Jan Davidson said. The city’s boundaries extend east to Katy Mills Mall and to the west side Katy-Fort Bend Road.
Tree pick-up will begin on the east side of the city, Davidson said, and will take a few days to reach the west side. The removal service, which is free, will begin again Jan. 15 for anyone who missed the first pick-up.
All lights, stands, ornaments, decorations and nails need to be removed from trees, she said. Residents can leave trees on their curbs for pick-up.
Since garbage pick-up will also dispose of Christmas trees left on curbs, residents should keep trees separated from other garbage and can indicate that the tree is for recycling.
Homeowners who have cut down tree limbs and branches can also leave them with their Christmas trees to be picked up, Davidson said. All foliage is put into a chipper and turned into mulch that is used at city parks or can be given to Katy residents, she said. Anyone interested in receiving mulch or who has questions can call 281-391-4820.
Other Katy-area residents can drop off Christmas trees at Bear Creek Pioneers Park, 3535 War Memorial Drive, or George Bush Park, 16756 Westheimer Parkway, said Ray Miller, special projects coordinator for Harris County Precinct 3.
Residents can bring their trees to either park during normal hours of 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. through Jan. 7, Miller said. Visible signs at the parks will identify the tree drop-off sites, he said.
The free service has been offered for several years, Miller said, adding that trees are shredded and turned into mulch for the county’s parks.
“It’s recycling in the strictest sense,” he said. For information about the county’s program, call 281-497-5523.
