OKC offers Christmas tree recycling, mulch

When you start taking down the Christmas tree, don't just throw it away.

You can turn your holiday tree into free mulch by recycling it.

The Oklahoma City Parks and Recreation Department is hosting a free Christmas tree recycling event from Dec. 28 to Jan. 6, when residents can drop off their trees and/or get free mulch at four locations:

• Will Rogers Park, 3600 Pat Murphy Drive

• Wheeler Park, 1120 S Western Ave.

• Dolphin Wharton Park, 301 NE 63.

• Woodson Park, 3028 SW 36.

Participants may drop off trees and pick up mulch anytime from dawn to dusk. There will be a designated area to drop off trees, and a pile of mulch in a corral. Visitors must bring their own equipment and bags for taking the mulch.

There already will be mulch piles at all four locations when the event begins. Crews with wood chippers will rotate locations to recycle the dropped-off trees to add to the mulch pile as the event continues.

Recycled Christmas trees must be free of lights, ornaments, nails and stands.

Recycling Christmas trees keeps them out of landfills and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. It also will help Oklahoma City reach its goals of increasing the recycling rate, while also benefiting the ecosystem and improving the air, water and soil.

Using mulch in urban environments like gardens promotes plant growth and water conservation by adding nutrients to the soil and helping retain moisture.