Christmas Tree-to-Mulch Programs Available To Pinellas Residents

PINELLAS COUNTY, FL — Residents are encouraged to participate in Christmas Tree-to-Mulch programs available across Pinellas County this holiday season. Trees can be processed into useful mulch.

To prepare Christmas trees for mulching, residents must remove all decorations, including hooks, garland, tinsel and lights.

It is important to leave trees loose for pickup, rather than placing them in a bag or trash can. Residents who live in apartments and condominiums should consult with their association or property managers for disposal instructions.

The following cities will offer Christmas Tree-to-Mulch programs and guidance for collection:

• Clearwater: Place tree with yard waste on regular curbside collection day. For information, call 727-562-4920.
• Dunedin: Place tree at curb on regularly scheduled collection day. For information, call 727-298-3215.
• Gulfport: Place tree at curb or alley on regularly scheduled Wednesday yard waste pickup. Do not bag or place tree in garbage can. For multifamily units, place tree near the Dumpster without blocking access. Mulch from trees will be made available to residents at the Gulfport Neighborhood Center, 1617 49th St. S. For more information, call 727-893-1089.
• Indian Rocks Beach: Place tree with yard waste on Wednesday curbside collection day. For information, call 727-595-6889.
• Largo: Place tree at curb on regularly scheduled yard waste day. For more information, call -727-587-6760 or visit the Largo recycling website.
• Madeira Beach: Place tree with yard waste on Wednesday curbside collection day. For more information, call 727-543-8154.
• Oldsmar: Drop off trees at 107 Shore Drive W. (R.E. Olds Park), which is open seven days a week, dawn to dusk through Friday, Jan. 31. For more information, call 813-749-1135.
• Pinellas Park: Drop off trees at the city’s brush site, 12950 40th St. N., Monday through Sunday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or place tree for curbside collection with regular garbage. For more information, call 727-369-0690.
• Safety Harbor: Trees will be collected with yard waste beginning Wednesday, Jan. 8.
• St. Petersburg: Drop trees off at these brush sites:
• 1000 62nd Ave. N.E.
• 7750 26th Ave. N.
• 2500 26th Ave. S.
• 4015 Dr. MLK Jr. St. S.
• 2453 20th Ave. N.

Residents can also place trees at curbside by Friday, Jan. 10, for collection on Saturday, Jan. 11. If the tree has not been collected by Jan. 12, call 727-893-7398. Residents are asked to place the tree no closer than 3 feet beside the garbage container in the usual collection location (curb or alley).

• Tarpon Springs: Drop tree off at Yard Waste Facility, 898 S. Levis Ave., for a fee or put out with yard waste for curbside collection on regular day. For more information, call 727-943-4837.
• Treasure Island: Place tree with yard waste on Wednesday curbside collection day. For more information, call 727-547-4575, ext. 250.

The following cities do not offer Christmas Tree-to-Mulch programs: Belleair, Belleair Beach, Belleair Bluffs, Belleair Shore, Indian Shores, Kenneth City, North Redington Beach, Redington Beach, Redington Shores, Seminole, South Pasadena and St. Pete Beach. Trees will be picked up curbside.

Although the tree will not be mulched, it will be collected and converted into energy at Pinellas County’s Waste-to-Energy Facility. Trees collected in Belleair Beach and Kenneth City must be cut into 4-foot sections.

Residents of cities that do not offer tree mulching or residents living in unincorporated areas can drop off trees at Pinellas County Solid Waste, 3095 114th Ave. N., St. Petersburg. The cost is $3 per load for a maximum of five trees. The cost for six or more trees is $39.75 per ton.

The facility is open Monday to Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.