CHICAGO (CBS) — It’s time to let the Christmas tree go.

The city of Chicago’s tree recycling program begins Saturday January 9 at 25 Chicago Park District locations.

Holiday trees can be dropped off inside tree corrals. The trees will be turned into mulch and wood chips, which Chicago residents can pick up for free starting on the 16th at selected park locations.

Participate from Jan. 9th - 23rd, 2021

Chicago's 2021 Tree Recycling Program runs from January 9th through the 23rd at dozens of parks across the City. 

Only live/natural trees without flocking are accepted (no garland or wreaths). Because the trees are mulched, all tinsel, ornaments, lights, and stands must be removed. Plastic bags used for transport should also be removed before putting trees in the stalls. 

2021 Tree Recycling Locations 

Twenty-five parks citywide are hosting Tree Recycling events this year. Trees can be dropped off anytime during normal business hours.  

Six locations (starred on the map) will also provide free mulch on a first-come, first-served basis, starting January 12th: Lincoln Park, Margate Park, Mt. Greenwood Park, North Park Village, Warren Park, and the Forestry Site. 

• Bessemer Park, 8930 S. Muskegon Ave.

• Clark Park, 3400 N. Rockwell St.

• Forestry Site*, 900 E. 103rd St.

• Garfield Park, 100 N. Central Park Ave.

• Grant Park, 900 S. Columbus Dr.

• Humboldt Park Boathouse, 1369 N. Sacramento Ave.

• Jackson Park, 6300 S. Cornell Ave.

• Kennedy Park, 2427 W. 113th St.

• Kelvyn Park, 4438 W. Wrightwood Ave.

• Lake Meadows Park, 3117 S. Rhodes Ave.

• Lincoln Park*, Cannon Dr. at Fullerton Ave. (East of Cannon Dr.)

• Margate Park*, 4921 N. Marine Dr.

• Marquette Park, 6700 S. Kedzie Ave.

• McKinley Park, 2210 W. Pershing Rd.

• Mt. Greenwood Park*, 3721 W. 111th St.

• North Park Village*, 5801 N. Pulaski Rd.

• Norwood Park, 5801 N. Natoma Ave.

• Portage Park, 4100 N. Long Ave.

• Riis Park, 6201 W. Wrightwood Ave.

• Rowan Park, 11546 S. Avenue L

• Sheridan Park, 910 S. Aberdeen St.

• Walsh Park, 1722 N. Ashland

• Warren Park*, 6601 N. Western Ave.

• Wentworth Park, 5701 S. Narragansett Ave.

• West Chatham Park, 8223 S. Princeton

Onward and Upward

In 2019, over 17,000 Christmas trees were composted, just through the City's program. Those efforts diverted an estimated 620,000 pounds from landfills and gave our soil some love instead. Way to be, Chicago!  

Help spread the word about the Tree recycling program and consider taking g a neighbor's tree along if you have space.  Let's make this year the program's most successful year yet!