How To Recycle Christmas Trees In Alpharetta, Milton

ALPHARETTA/MILTON, GA — As we move away from the Christmas holiday, some residents may be looking to remove their Christmas trees. There are two ways to recycle your trees in Alpharetta and Milton.

Fire officials recommend removing your tree after Christmas or when it is dry. The National Fire Protection Association says dried-out trees present a fire hazard and should not be left in homes or garages or placed against a home.

When you should remove the tree depends on when you got it, what condition it was in, and whether it was properly watered, according to the fire department.

All ornaments, decorations and stands must be removed before disposal.

In Milton, there are multiple ways to dispose of your while giving it a second life as wood chips, mulch or another sustainable use.

The City of Milton's main annual Christmas tree recycling event, dubbed "Bring One for the Chipper," will be between 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021. During that time, you can drop off your tree on the Milton High School, 13025 Birmingham Highway, specifically the parking lot closest to Freemanville Road, and the city's partners at Casey Tree Experts will take care of the rest.

Residents have other options, including:

• Dec. 26-Dec. 31, then again on Jan. 2, 2021: Bring your tree to the Scottsdale Farms Garden Center, 15639 Birmingham Hwy, Milton, GA 30004. Except for Jan. 1, Scottsdale Farms is open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays.

• Dec. 28-Dec. 31, then again from Jan. 2-Jan. 9: Green Brothers Earth Works, 3445 Francis Road, Alpharetta, GA 30004, located just across the Forsyth County line. Green Brothers will take trees (during regular business hours) until they've reached their capacity and do not have more room.

• If you'd rather not haul your tree in your vehicle, Boy Scout Troop 841 will pick it up for you for a donation of $15 per tree. This service is available to those north of Rucker Road and west of Ga. 400. If you qualify, and you're interested, go online to reserve a pick-up slot sometime before 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 30.

Alpharetta also have options to dispose of their Christmas trees.

Be part of a 30-year tradition of giving a gift to Mother Nature by recycling your natural Christmas tree during the City of Alpharetta’s Bring One For The Chipper event on Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021. The event will take place from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. in the parking lot of Home Depot, 5300 Windward Parkway.

To ensure everyone’s health and safety, the City of Alpharetta has put in place special protocols for this year’s event:

• All staff and volunteers will be wearing face masks
• Those bringing trees for donation are asked to remain in their vehicles while event staff unloads your tree

Trees recycled through this event will be turned into mulch by Davey Tree Experts that is donated for use in public playgrounds, parks, local government beautification projects, and even in individual yards.

Those who bring a natural Christmas tree to be recycled may also submit a request form available on the City of Alpharetta’s website to request some free mulch. While supplies last, Ferry Morse Seed Company will also provide free garden seed to those who Bring One For The Chipper.

If you have Christmas tree lights that you no longer want, bring those along with the tree.

Alpharetta’s Bring One For The Chipper is part of a statewide effort to reuse natural Christmas trees that has resulted in over 6 million trees being recycled since the program began 30 years ago.

For more information, contact Terry Porter at tporter@alpharetta.ga.us or 678-410-4718 before Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021.