The final round curbside Christmas tree collection will begin on Tuesday, January 17.  Residents wishing to have their Christmas tree collected curbside must have their tree to the curb prior to 7am on January 17 in order to take advantage of this service. 
 
Placing your Christmas tree to the curb after January 17 could result in missing this final round of collection.  Trees that are set out after the final round of tree collection will likely remain on the terrace until regular brush collection begins in the spring.  Residents can also take their tree to a drop-off site.  Information about the drop-off sites can be found later in this release.
 
Trees not following the collection rules outlined below will also not be collected by our crews.
 
Tree collection crews will begin the final round on January 17 by collecting trees from residents who have a Monday refuse collection.  After the crews collect from each street within the Monday refuse collection district one time, they will rotate to the area of the city that has a Tuesday refuse collection.  After the Tuesday district is complete, crews will then move to the Wednesday refuse collection district, followed by the Thursday district, and concluding with the Friday district.  The Streets Division anticipates that this final round will be completed by February 1.
 
Snow and ice procedures will take precedence over tree collection duties, so inclement weather could result in delays.
 
Collection Rules
Trees are processed with expensive wood chippers. These machines can be easily damaged by metal, wire, and other foreign material. To protect this equipment and the safety of our workers we ask that all residents follow these rules.  Failure to follow these rules will result in your tree being left at the curb.

• Remove all tree stands regardless of whether they are wood, plastic, or metal.
• Remove all light strings, ornaments and other metal objects.
• Remove any tree bags.
• Place trees at the street edge only.
• If trees become buried under snow residents are asked to dig out trees.

 
Wreaths, evergreen rope, garlands, and boughs will not be collected with Christmas trees. These items regularly contain wire that can jam our equipment by becoming entangled inside the chipper. Please place these into your tan refuse cart.
 
Drop-Off Sites
Residents and City of Madison taxpayers may also bring your Christmas trees to one of our drop-off sites.  The sites are located at 1501 W. Badger Rd. on the southwest side and 4602 Sycamore Ave. on the east side.
 
The drop-off sites are open 7:30am to 3:00pm Monday to Friday.  These hours will remain in effect until expanded hours begin on Saturday, March 25.
 
You can also get information regarding Christmas tree collection by visiting our website, or by calling the brush collection hotline at 608-267-2088.