DE PERE (NBC 26) -- Most communities will start the process of curbside tree collection right after the New Year and, believe it or not, that process is typically quite friendly to the environment.
The City of De Pere plans on starting their curbside pick-up on January 2. It's a process where city crews go across town and grind down the trees into mulch, mulch that is available for all city residents at their compost site free of charge. All communities that offer such a service ask that residents strip their trees before putting them outside.
"Please make sure there is no lights, or anything left on it. Try and put it out the way you got it,” said Tony Fietzer, the City Of De Pere Street Superintendent. “We don't want any type of wire or anything that would get caught up in our chippers."
Here in Wisconsin it's typical for the collection of trees to start on January 2, but many communities do have compost sites where you can drop them off earlier.
One thing you don't want to do with your tree is to burn it in your fireplace or wood stove at home. It can be a major fire hazard for your chimney, according to fire departments.
