Now, through the end of February

Is your Christmas tree still up? Not sure what to do with it? If so, it’s not too late to donate.
Oxford Township Parks and Recreation is collecting leftover live Christmas trees to recycle into mulch. The mulch

will be used as needed throughout township parks.
Christmas trees can be dropped off at Seymour Lake Township Park (2795 Seymour Lake Rd.) in the southeast corner of the tennis court parking lot.
Trees are accepted now through the end of February – a graciously long period for those who enjoy their trees into the new year. Parks and Recreation Director Ron Davis said that, believe it or not, people drop off trees well into February, so they wait to chip them all at once. When the trees stop coming by the end of February, park’s staff will feed the old trees to a wood chipper and spread the chips in circles around tree bases in the parks, which makes them easier to mow around and deters weed growth.
There are about 40 trees amassed right now. Park superintendent Jeff Kinasz estimates last year they received between 100 and 150 trees, which translated into roughly five yards of mulch.
The recycling program, which has been running for over 15 years, serves two purposes. It prevents trees from taking up space in landfills, where they biodegrade over a long period of time due to lack of oxygen. It also saves parks and rec money, so it’s a great way to support the parks.
However, trees must be real. And clean. No tinsel, lights, hooks, ornaments, plastic. “We just want a nice clean tree, no stands, nothing artificial,” Kinasz said.
The recycle program is only once a year, and only for Christmas trees. No other trees or wood are accepted.
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Oakland County Parks and Recreation has a similar recycle program running through Jan. 26. Trees can be dropped off 9 a.m.-4p.m., seven days a week at county parks Addison Oaks on W. Romeo Rd., Orion Oaks on Clarkston Rd. or Independence Oaks on Sashabaw Rd.
In return for recycling a Christmas tree, the Oakland Conservation District will reward recyclers with a free white pine seedling Saturday, May 2, 2020 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at 1580 Scott Lake Road, Waterford.