Have a real Christmas tree? When festivities eventually end, you can consider recycling it in Allegheny County parks and various locations in the city of Pittsburgh.
The county is encouraging residents to recycle their real Christmas trees at one of several drop off locations at county parks.
The locations are at all nine county parks. They will open on Dec. 26 and will be available through Jan. 14 from 8 a.m. until dusk.
Drop off locations:
- Boyce Park: Soccer fields parking lot
- Deer Lakes Park: Veterans shelter parking lot
- Harrison Hills Park: Parking lot at Chipmunk Drive & Cottontail Drive
- Hartwood Acres Park: Middle Road parking lot
- North Park: Swimming pool parking lot
- Round Hill Park: Alfalfa shelter parking lot
- Settlers Cabin Park: Wave pool parking lot
- South Park: Wave pool parking lot
- White Oak Park: Chestnut Shelter parking lot
The trees will be mulched and used in the county parks. Last year, the county said, more than 3,000 trees were recycled.
In the city, trees can be dropped off in the follow locations:
- Allegheny Center: Sue Murray swimming pool
- Brighton Heights: Jack Stack swimming pool
- Brookline: Brookline Recreation Center
- Hazelwood: 40 Melanchton Street
- Highland Park: Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium
- Homewood North: 6814 Hamilton Ave.
- Perry North: 300 Kilbuck Road
- South Side: Riverfront Park
- Squirrel Hill: Prospect Drive roundabout in Schenley Park
- Sheraden: Sheraden Park parking lot on Surban Street
- West End: 1330 Hassler St.
The city last year collected more than 1,600 trees. The trees collected by the city will be chipped into pine mulch and made available to the public for free in the spring.
Before dropping off, remember to remove all lights, decorations and stands.
While most families opt for an artificial tree, millions of real trees are sold in America each year. According to the National Christmas Tree Association, there are roughly 25 to 35 million real trees sold annually.
In addition, the association says Pennsylvania is among the nation’s top producers of real Christmas trees, along with Oregon, North Carolina, Michigan, Wisconsin and Washington.
First Published: December 20, 2023, 2:44 p.m.
