Oh, Christmas Tree

It's a little depressing after the holiday season to walk past "evergreen carnage" piled up on the sidewalk.

You see, Christmas tree vendors pop up all over New York City immediately following Thanksgiving, so the public's purchase of trees is a gradual process that goes by fairly unnoticed. But then factor in approximately 1.7 million people living in Manhattan alone, and just imagine how many trees could have accumulated in all those apartments! January 1st is the day they all start coming out of the woodwork...or more like down the elevators and flights of stairs...only to be piled up with yesterday's trash.

It's a very sad sight to see a dried-up tree, stripped of all its holiday cheer. Why so soon? Only a couple weeks earlier, these magical trees were the center of attention; decked out in fancy lights, showcased in every family photo, their sweet organic aroma filling an entire apartment.

It made me wonder. What happens to all these trees anyway? What becomes their final resting place?

Well I am very happy to report that New York City's Department of Sanitation gets an A+, Gold Star in my book for its evergreen recycling efforts. According to their website, "Clean, non-bagged Christmas trees that are left at the curb between Monday, January 4th and Friday, January 15th will be collected, chipped, and made into compost. The compost will be processed and subsequently spread upon parks, ball fields, and community gardens throughout the city."

Two days left!

The site also reminds residents that in order for their tree to be properly mulched, all tree stands, tinsel, lights, and ornaments MUST be removed.

So, jump on the recycling bandwagon fellow tree-huggers. In January 2009, the Department collected 122,235 discarded Christmas trees. Check out NYC's Department of Sanitation's Website or the one in your area, to do your part in mulchin' that tree. Just please don't let it be taken away with the trash.