Lancaster County, Pennsylvania - If you are among the people who take down and get rid of your Christmas tree the day after the big day, here’s an environmentally sound way  to do it.

The annual Christmas tree recycling project at Lancaster County Central Park will open on Dec. 26 and run through Jan. 31.

The program for all Lancaster County residents is designed to recycle Christmas trees.

Trees will be mulched and residents can stop back and take home free mulch on a  first-come, first-served basis beginning on Jan. 4.

You should bring a pitchfork or shovel, and a bag or a trailer to transport the mulch home.

The mulch is ideal for acid-loving plants such as rhododendrons and azaleas, and many deciduous ornamental trees and shrubs that require slightly acidic soil conditions.

The tree dropoff site will be open from dawn to dusk in the parking lot adjacent to the park office, located off of Chesapeake Street in Lancaster city. Follow the signs.

There is a $1 suggested donation for each tree dropped off.

The park mulching program is for Christmas trees only. No other yard waste will be accepted. Trees must be free of decorations, lights, plastic bags and hardware, including nails in the trunk.

There is a three-tree limit per vehicle. Commercial haulers are asked to contact their local municipalities for their respective Christmas tree recycling locations.  

Donations go toward the operation of the Dr. John Moss Native Tree Nursery in Central Park. Trees from the nursery are utilized throughout the county park system.

According to park officials, residents drop off about 1,500 Christmas trees each year, which produce 22 tons of mulch.

For more information about the Christmas tree mulching program, residents may call the park office at 717-299-8215, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. To learn more about the county park system, click here.

Courtesy : lancasteronline.com