Disposing of Holiday Trees in DC

The holidays are winding down and if you are someone who decorates with a real tree, now you have to figure out what to do with it. DC actually makes it pretty easy to dispose of your holiday tree, and you have a pretty good amount of time to take care of it.

Christmas trees and holiday greenery will be collected from homes that receive DPW trash collection — these are single-family homes and apartment buildings containing three or fewer housing units — curbside between January 3 and February 28, 2022. You can leave your trees and greenery where you normally place your trash and recycling — or at the curbside.

If you are in a larger apartment building, you may need to check with your landlord or leasing agent for collection procedures, but residents can also drop trees and greenery at any of four DPW locations:

• Benning Road Transfer Station (3200 Benning Road NE)
• Fort Totten Transfer Station (4900 John F. McCormack Drive NE)
• Bryant Street Sweep Shop (201 Bryant Street NW)
• South Capitol Street Graffiti Shop (2700 South Capitol Street SE)

After the 28th, residents can still place Christmas trees and holiday greenery where their trash is collected, but the items will be picked up with the trash as space in trash trucks permits. If your tree is not collected, you can call 311 to put in a “Christmas Tree Removal -Seasonal” special request.

Remember that all ornaments and lights must be removed for trees to be collected and trees should not be placed in bags.

We love DC for keeping trees out of landfills! Did you know that one of the best parts about leaving your tree for DPW collection in January and February is that those items collected during this time are guaranteed to be composted, and in the spring, the mulch will be provided to DC residents to fertilize their gardens at no cost?! District residents can collect up to five 32-gallon bags (BYOBags) of the free compost year-round while supplies last at the Fort Totten Transfer Station.