Merry Mulch Program Wants your Wilting Christmas Tree

Yes, Christmas isn't over yet, but soon, you'll need to figure out to do with the fir.

You could put your withering Christmas tree out on the front lawn for curbside trash pickup, or you can recycle it.

Since 1993, the Merry Mulch Christmas tree recycling program has been keeping trees out of the landfill and turning them into mulch.

Residents interested in participating can bring their Christmas tree to one of several locations throughout the county from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. beginning on Wednesday, Jan. 2.

But if you don't feel like packing up the tree in the car (which is understandable because those needles can get everywhere) residents will be able to set their trees out for yard trim collection on their regular curbside recycling days up until Jan. 18. If doing so, the county asks you remove all decorations, make sure the tree is cut into bundles weighing less than 40 pounds.

In Ellicott City, you can merrily mulch your tree in the small Circuit Court parking lot on upper Court House Drive.

County-wide Merry Mulch Locations:

• Clarksville - Kendall Hardware, 12260 Route 108 or River Hill Garden Center, 12165 Route 108

• Columbia - Cedar Lane Park, 5081 Cedar Lane or Grandfather's Garden Center, 5320 Phelps Luck Drive

• Elkridge - Rockburn Park, 5400 Landing Road

• Highland - Schooley Mill Park, 12975 Hall Shop Road

• Marriottsville - Alpha Ridge Lanfill, 2350 Marriottsville Road (open Monday through Saturday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

• Savage - Savage Park, 8400 Fair Street

• Woodbine - Western Regional Park, 14800 Carrs Mill Road.