Get Live Christmas Trees to Curb Now

Urbandale garbage crews will pick up live Christmas trees this week and the week of Jan. 9, but the city's fire chief is urging residents not to wait to get the trees out of their homes.

"Dry Christmas trees are extremely flammable...if they have been up for a long period of time," said Fire Chief Jerry Holt. "Even with continuous watering, the trees dry out and should be discarded. Most safety tips will say that live trees should not be up for more than two weeks."

Even if your regular trash pick up day isn't until next week, Holt says the safest course is to get the trees out of the house and onto the curb as soon as possible.

The trees are so flammable and cause such a hot, fast flame that a whole room can be consumed in less than a minute, as shown in the video to the right.

The city will pick up the trees at no charge. Officials ask you to remove all tinsel from the tree and place it on the curb before 6:30 a.m. on your regular collection day. It should be at least four feet away from all containers.  If you have questions,  call 515-278-3950.

In partnership with the Metro Waste Authority, the trees will be turned into compost and mulch.