Ready for a new buzz word? Try this one out- tree-cycling! Maybe the word is slow to catch on (and maybe that’s because I’m the only one using it??) but the action has been in practice for a while. While most refuse companies and township public works departments pick up Christmas trees with the regular trash pick-ups there are a few other options for your trusty tannenbaum! So don’t toss your tree yet, it may be ready for it’s second life!

 

Nature Centers 

 

Upper Main Line YMCA

1416 Berwyn-Paoli Road, Berwyn
 
UMLY collects Christmas trees to use in their Environmental Education department. You may drop your free off during branch hours Monday – Thursday 5 am – 10 pm, Saturday – Sunday 7 am – 7 pm at the designated spot in their gravel parking lot behind the maintenance garage (you’ll find this location as you exit the main driveway). The trees are used in their winter wildlife habitat, chipped for the walking paths, and more!

 

Philly Goat Project

January 8 and 22, 12 – 3 pm
The Farm at Awbury, 6336 Ardleigh Street  

 

Not on the Main Line, but this looks so cute we had to include it! For a suggested donation of $20 your Christmas tree helps to benefit Philly Goat Project is so many ways. Your tree will be eaten by the goats and/or turned into woodchips that help line the trails around Awbury Arboretum, the goats’ paddocks, or in parks around the city. Your donation will go towards the Philly Goat Project’s mission of using “Goats for the Greater Good” and providing free programming to our community.

 

Beyond the Christmas tree drop, activities during the farm festivals will include exploring the farm, a roaring fire pit, hot cocoa, and a petting area with the goats. You can join the fun even if you don’t have a tree! Just park and walk into the farm using Washington Lane entrance (look for the ambassadors to guide you). A “Quiet Visiting Area” will also be available for special friends.  

 

Althouse Arboretum

1784 Gilbertsville Road, Pottstown
January 8 & 9, 9 am – 3 pm

 

Help support the Althouse Arboretum at their annual Christmas Tree Recycling Event on January 8 & 9. Just drive in with your Christmas tree and students will remove it from your car. It will be used for wood chips for their trails. Please remove all ornaments and stands. No fee, donations accepted.

 

Township Collections

 

Lower Merion

 

Lower Merion Township will begin the collection of trees (which must be placed curbside) during the first two weeks in January on the regular refuse collection day. Residents may also dispose of Christmas trees at the Public Works Complex, located at 1300 N Woodbine Avenue in Penn Valley, Monday through Friday 8am-3pm and Saturday 9am-2:30pm. All ornaments, stands and other decorations must be removed.

 

Narberth Borough

 

Borough residents can put their Christmas trees on the curb on Tuesday nights in January. They will be collected with the regular brush pickups all month. All ornaments, stands, and other decorations must be removed.

 

Radnor Township

 

Artificial tree collection will take place on normal trash collection days. Natural Christmas tree collection will be on Wednesdays only (as part of the Yard Waste Program). Natural trees must have all lights, decorations, ornaments, and the tree stand removed or the tree will not be taken. 

 

Lead photo courtesy of Philly Goat Project.