Auburn has Christmas-tree disposal options

AUBURN CA - Auburn-area residents with natural Christmas trees have a choice of options to recycle.The trees can be chopped up and placed in the green-waste containers for pickup by Recology Auburn-Placer. Or they can be brought to the Auburn Transfer Station for free dropoff. A third option would be to waiting until Jan. 7 for the Auburn Fire Department's annual one-day chipping program.John Rowe, Recology general manager, said unflocked Christmas trees can be cut up and placed inside green-waste containers. That means trees sprayed with white paint decoration aren't allowed for recycling.Customers are advised not to overfill their green waste container. All materials must fit completely inside the can with the lid closed. The container will be picked up during normal pickup schedule.Rowe said a second option – particularly for people without green waste toter service – is to bring the tree to the Auburn Transfer Station, 12305 Shale Ridge Road. Drop-off will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Jan. 21.For people without green waste toters who opt not to bring their tree to the transfer station, they can cut limbs to three-foot lengths and leave the pile beside the regular garbage toter for pickup, Rowe said.The green waste is composted at the Western Placer Regional Landfill facility, eventually ending up as soil in vineyards and gardens, Rowe said."There's a steady demand for it," he said.The Auburn Fire Department will accept Christmas trees for chipping but only on Jan. 7. The event will take place at the Maidu Fire Station, at the corner of Maidu Drive and Auburn Folsom Road, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. No trees will be accepted at the station before Jan. 7.Precautions for trees after ChristmasIf you still have your tree up, here are a few precautions, courtesy of Placer County Community Outreach:- Add water to your tree stand daily- Keep a fire extinguisher nearby- Always turn off Christmas tree lights before leaving home or going to bed- Get rid of the tree when it is dry. Don't leave it in your yard.- Dried-up trees are a fire danger and should not be left in a home or garage, or against the side of a house.