Don't Let This Be Your Christmas Tree

Marin firefighters offer some tips on Christmas tree safety:

Selecting a Tree for the Holiday

Needles on fresh trees should be green and hard to pull back from the branches, and the needles should not break if the tree has been freshly cut. The trunk should be sticky to the touch. Old trees can be identified by bouncing the tree trunk on the ground. If many needles fall off, the tree has been cut for too long, has probably dried out, and is a fire hazard. Please keep the tree in a stand with water.

Artificial Christmas Trees

If you are using a metallic or artificial tree, make sure it is flame retardant.

Caring for Your Tree

Do not place your tree close to a heat source, including a fireplace or heat vent. The heat will dry out the tree, causing it to be more easily ignited by heat, flame or sparks. Be careful not to drop or flick cigarette ashes near a tree. Do not put your live tree up too early or leave it up for longer than two weeks. Keep the tree stand filled with water at all times.

Disposing of Your Tree

Please never put tree branches or needles in a fireplace or wood burning stove. When the tree becomes dry, discard it promptly. The best way to dispose of your tree is by taking it to a recycling center or having it hauled away. Marin Sanitary Service provides curbside Christmas tree recycling through Green Yard waste pick-up for the month of January. Tree stands/bases must be removed. No flocked trees. No trees over six feet. For trees over 6’ either cut them in half or bring them to one of our facilities listed below.

In Fairfax, you can leave your tree on the curb and Marin Sanitary will pick it up. You can also drop it off at the Marin Resource Recovery Center in San Rafael for recycling.