Christmas Tree Pickup and Recycling Rules
✓ Last verified October 29, 2026 against official city and town sources. See sources.
Heads up: The 2026–27 tree dates haven't been announced yet. For the Town of Hempstead, Jersey City and Philadelphia we show last season's official rules (January 2026) and will update them when the new dates come out. NYC's rule is year-round.
Real trees and wreaths are compostable, but only if they go out the right way. Strip every light, ornament, bit of tinsel and the stand, and don't bag the tree.
The short version
- Remove lights, ornaments, tinsel and the stand. Never put the tree in a plastic bag.
- NYC: put it out on your weekly recycling and composting day, any time of year.
- Philadelphia: a tree left at the curb is collected as trash. To have it recycled, bring it to a drop-off during the January program.
By city and town
New York City (DSNY) Year-round rule
NYC no longer runs a limited tree collection. Put "naked" trees (no decorations, ornaments or stands) at the curb on your weekly Curbside Composting and recycling day, next to your other compostables. Don't wrap trees or wreaths in plastic bags. Remove wreath frames and wires and put them out with recycling.
Last season, NYC Parks also ran Mulchfest from Dec 26, 2025 through Jan 11, 2026, chipping trees into mulch.
- When
- Weekly compost/recycling day
- Bag it?
- No
Sources: DSNY – Special Christmas Tree Collection is… No Longer Special; DSNY – Plant, Leaf, & Yard Waste
Jersey City, NJ Last season's rules (2026 dates TBA)
Under the City's bulk disposal guidelines, you put the tree at the curb on a Wednesday evening between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. Trees are picked up citywide every Thursday in January. Don't wrap or bag it, and remove all lights and ornaments.
- Set-out
- Wed 7–10 p.m.
- Pickup
- Thursdays in January
Source: Jersey City Division of Sanitation – Bulk Disposal Guidelines (PDF)
Town of Hempstead, NY Last season's rules (2026 dates TBA)
Last season the Town collected Christmas trees, wreaths and yard waste on a single date, Wednesday, January 7, 2026. The 2027 date will be on the Town's yard waste schedule.
- Last season
- Jan 7, 2026
Source: Town of Hempstead – Yard Waste
Philadelphia, PA Last season's rules (2026 dates TBA)
Trees put at the curb are collected as trash, not composted. To recycle yours, use the City's free Christmas Tree Recycling Program, which ran Jan 5–17, 2026. Residents dropped trees at the six Sanitation Convenience Centers or at designated sites. Trees must be untied with no decorations. Recycled trees go to a vendor that chips them for use in composting.
- Last season
- Jan 5–17, 2026
- Cost
- Free for residents
Sources: City of Philadelphia – Dispose of Christmas trees; Philadelphia Dept. of Sanitation – Spread cheer, recycle right (Dec 22, 2025)
Not listed yet: We couldn't confirm official tree pickup rules for Yonkers or the Passaic/Paterson/Clifton area. Check your DPW in December.
FAQ
When does NYC pick up Christmas trees?
Every week on your Curbside Composting and recycling day. Remove decorations and the stand, and don't bag the tree.
Does Philadelphia recycle Christmas trees left at the curb?
No. Curbside trees are collected as trash. Bring yours to a drop-off during the City's January recycling program.
Sources
- DSNY – Special Christmas Tree Collection is… No Longer Special
- DSNY – Plant, Leaf, & Yard Waste
- Jersey City Division of Sanitation – Bulk Disposal Guidelines (PDF)
- Town of Hempstead – Yard Waste
- City of Philadelphia – Dispose of Christmas trees
- Philadelphia Dept. of Sanitation – Spread cheer, recycle right (Dec 22, 2025)