Here’s How To Get Rid of Your Christmas Tree

By Joey Tack on December 31, 2019

30 December 2019, Saxony, Dresden: Christmas trees are stored in a specially erected container. Until 11 January 2020, citizens can dispose of their Christmas trees free of charge. The Department for City Greenery and Waste Management is setting up over 100 collection points throughout the city. Photo: Robert Michael/dpa-Zentralbild/dpa (Photo by Robert Michael/picture alliance via Getty Images)

The City of Sacramento has multiple ways for you to safely dispose of your real Christmas tree, including leaving it on the street or dropping it off. Here’s the info:

City of Sacramento residential yard waste customers can place trees in the street for pickup as part of the City’s Leaf Season service. Leaf Season collection occurs November through January. The last day that trees, or any yard waste, can be placed out on the street for collection is January 26, 2020. Please keep trees and yard waste out of bike lanes.

 Residents can find their estimated collection dates on our calendar.

Holiday Tree Recycling Guidelines:

• Trees should be clean of all lights, tinsel, tree stands, nails, and decorations.
• Flocked trees will be accepted.
• The city will collect up to 5 trees. Loads in excess of 5 trees will only be accepted at: Elder Creek, Kiefer Landfill and the North Area Recovery Station

If you miss the citywide tree collection, you can put your tree in your yard waste container. Please cut the tree into pieces that will fit completely into the container with the lid closed.

Free Drop-off Events for Residents who do not receive City service:

On-street tree collection is for residential customers who receive yard waste service from the City.

Businesses, residents who live in apartments, on private streets or in gated communities should use one of the free drop-off events listed below or find another legal disposal method for their tree. Improper disposal of holiday trees on city streets is considered illegal dumping. Please note the specific dates and times for free tree drop-off.

2019/2020 Dates

Sacramento Recycling and Transfer Station

8491 Fruitridge Road
8 am to 5 pm
Saturday, January 4
Also accepting trees December 26 – January 4, Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
(from Jackson Highway, south on Florin Perkins Road, right on Fruitridge Road)

SMUD – Corporation Yard

6100 Folsom Blvd.
8 am to 3:30 pm
Saturday, January 4

North Area Recovery Station

4450 Roseville Road
8 am to 6 pm
Saturday, January 4 and Sunday, January 5
(I-80 to Watt, left on Roseville Road)

Kiefer Landfill

12701 Kiefer Blvd.
8:30 am to 4:30 pm
Saturday, January 4 and Sunday, January 5
(from Jackson Highway, north on Grant Line, right on Kiefer)

Elder Creek Recovery and Transfer

8642 Elder Creek Road
8 am to 3 pm
Saturday, January 4
(from Jackson Highway, south on Florin Perkins Road, left on Elder Creek)