Here is what you should do with your tree now that Christmas is over.

I'll never forget the first and only time my husband and I had a real Christmas tree.

It was beautiful, it made the house smell incredible, but it was a major upkeep for the two of us who at that time rarely were at home. I always forgot to water it, I was so paranoid the thing would catch fire because it was too dry like Clark Griswold's tree.

Many days after Christmas I decided enough was enough. Through over three feet of snow, I dragged that darn tree out the front door down the middle of the yard and to the curb. With all the ice and snow I fell down the front steps, backwards, into a giant pile of snow... in my bathrobe. I didn't care, I wanted that tree out of there.

I'm sure the neighbors got a kick out of me trying to pull the thing out of there. It was like watching a terrible movie. I'm sure they also enjoyed looking at the tree sit on the curb for over a month and a half because I missed the pickup date.

If you were brave enough to have had a real Christmas tree this year, I want to make sure you know exactly what you should do with your tree.

Once all the decorations have been removed, here's how to recycle your tree:

Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful has 13 collection sites in Winnebago County and Boone County for drop off of your tree between January 1 - 15.

The trees will be chipped into mulch, which you can have for FREE!

Make sure to bring your own containers and shovels to bring the mulch home. Keep in mind that availability is not guaranteed, but any that has not been cleared by the public will be removed by March 1st.

If you aren't familiar with Pine Mulch, it is excellent for acid-loving plants. Use it around roses, lilacs, azaleas, rhododendrons, hydrangeas and evergreens. You can also use mulch as ground cover for walkways.

Drop off locations are:

  • City of Belvidere, Street Department: 515 W Locust St., Belvidere
  • Don Schmid Youth Sports Center, Riverdahl Park: 871 Sandy Hollow Road, Rockford
  • Pecatonica Wetlands Forest Preserve: 4550 North Pecatonica Road, Pecatonica
  • Levings Lake South Johnston Ave. entrance at Montague, Rockford
  • Baumann Park: Cherry Valley
  • Andrews Park: 850 North Central Ave, Rockford
  • Machesney Town Center: 8702 N. 2nd Street, Machesney Park
  • Gambino Park: 4421 Pepper Drive, Rockford
  • Martin Park: 5600 Park Ridge Road, Loves Park
  • Alpine Park: 950 South Alpine, Rockford
  • Rockton Boat Ramp Parking Lot: 830 E. Main Street, Rockton
  • Williams Tree Farm: 4661 Yale Bridge Road, Rockton
  • Valley View Tree Farm: 6440 Belvidere Road, Roscoe

 

 

 

 

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