Where Is the Dump

Research · November 2026

Your Christmas tree: free at the curb in Seattle, $5.60 in Portland, a drive to a drop-off in Chicago

Same tree, three different answers. Only 4 of the 50 biggest U.S. cities say in writing that curbside tree pickup is free. Chicago lists no curbside tree pickup at all, just 27 drop-off sites.

From each city’s own pages, checked November 6, 2026. Every row says which season its rules are from, since most cities haven’t posted this winter’s plan yet. How we did this

Say curbside pickup is free
4 of 50

Oakland, San Francisco, Seattle and Tampa

Portland, whole tree at the curb
$5.60

Free if you cut it into 3-foot pieces for the compost cart

Long Beach’s curbside pickup
1 day

Jan 10, 2026, last season

Have posted this winter’s plan
6 of 50

As of Nov 6, 2026

Getting rid of a real Christmas tree: free at the curb in Seattle, $5.60 in Portland for a whole tree, and in Chicago you take it to one of 27 drop-off sites.
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The short answer

4 big cities say curbside tree pickup is free and 2 charge extra. 31 pick trees up at the curb but don’t list a fee, usually on your yard waste or trash day. 8 only list drop-off sites, and we could not confirm 5. Before you set a tree out, take off the lights, ornaments, tinsel and stand.

Last verified: Nov 6, 2026 · Official sources ↓

Check your city

In writing

Only 4 of 50 big cities put “free” tree pickup in writing

Oakland, San Francisco, Seattle and Tampa say it plainly. 31 more, including New York, Dallas and Phoenix, take trees at the curb but don’t list a price. It’s most likely part of your regular service, but the page doesn’t say so, so we don’t call it free.

Of the 50 biggest U.S. cities, 4 say curbside Christmas tree pickup is free, 2 charge extra, 31 pick trees up at the curb but list no fee, 8 only have drop-off sites, and 5 could not be confirmed.
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Miss it and wait

Long Beach picked trees up at the curb for one day

Last season, Long Beach’s curbside tree pickup was Jan 10, 2026. Washington, D.C. gave residents 58 days, Jan 2, 2026 to Feb 28, 2026. 6 big cities posted exact start and end dates; most others take trees on your regular yard waste or trash day.

Curbside tree pickup windows in the 50 biggest cities, 2025-26 season: Long Beach picked trees up on just 1 day (Jan 10, 2026); Washington ran 58 days, Jan 2, 2026 to Feb 28, 2026. Long Beach 1 days; San Francisco 15 days; Oakland 22 days; San Jose 36 days; Raleigh 38 days; Washington 58 days.
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Bring it yourself

Chicago: 27 drop-off sites, no curbside tree pickup listed

8 big cities only list drop-off sites for trees: Albuquerque, Chicago, Colorado Springs, El Paso, Houston, Las Vegas, Louisville and Tucson. In Chicago, 23,500 trees were recycled in the 2026 program, up from over 22,000 in 2025.

8 of the biggest cities list no curbside Christmas tree pickup, only drop-off sites: Chicago 27 sites; Houston 20 sites; Tucson 10 sites; El Paso 5 sites; Albuquerque 3 sites; Louisville 3 sites; Colorado Springs (number of sites not listed); Las Vegas (number of sites not listed).
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Before you drag it out

18 big cities call out tinsel by name

Tinsel jams the chippers that turn trees into mulch. Fake-snow “flocked” trees split cities: Arlington, Fort Worth, Long Beach, Omaha, Sacramento and San Diego say they’re fine, while 11 others, including Austin, Houston, Las Vegas, say no.

18 of the 50 biggest cities name tinsel as something to strip off before tree pickup. Flocked, fake-snow trees: 6 cities say they are fine (Arlington, Fort Worth, Long Beach, Omaha, Sacramento, San Diego); 11 say no.
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Second life

13 big cities give the mulch back for free

27 of the 50 biggest cities say the trees they collect get chipped into mulch or compost. In 13, residents can pick that mulch up for free.

27 of the 50 biggest cities say collected trees are chipped into mulch or compost, and 13 say residents can get that mulch back for free.
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This winter

Only 6 of 50 have posted this winter’s plan

As of November 6, 2026, Albuquerque, Charlotte, Mesa, Phoenix, Portland and Tucson have posted 2026-27 tree information. For everyone else, the table shows last season’s rules or the city’s standing rule, labeled on every row. Dates usually change; rules rarely do.

The map

Free curbside pickup, in writing (4)Curbside pickup costs extra (2)Picked up at the curb, no fee listed (31)Drop-off sites only (8)Could not confirm (5)

Albuquerque: Drop-off sites onlyArlington: Picked up at the curb, no fee listedAtlanta: Picked up at the curb, no fee listedAustin: Picked up at the curb, no fee listedBakersfield: Could not confirmBaltimore: Picked up at the curb, no fee listedBoston: Picked up at the curb, no fee listedCharlotte: Picked up at the curb, no fee listedChicago: Drop-off sites onlyColorado Springs: Drop-off sites onlyColumbus: Picked up at the curb, no fee listedDallas: Picked up at the curb, no fee listedDenver: Picked up at the curb, no fee listedDetroit: Picked up at the curb, no fee listedEl Paso: Drop-off sites onlyFort Worth: Picked up at the curb, no fee listedFresno: Picked up at the curb, no fee listedHouston: Drop-off sites onlyIndianapolis: Could not confirmJacksonville: Picked up at the curb, no fee listedKansas City: Could not confirmLas Vegas: Drop-off sites onlyLong Beach: Picked up at the curb, no fee listedLos Angeles: Could not confirmLouisville: Drop-off sites onlyMemphis: Picked up at the curb, no fee listedMesa: Curbside pickup costs extraMiami: Could not confirmMilwaukee: Picked up at the curb, no fee listedMinneapolis: Picked up at the curb, no fee listedNashville: Picked up at the curb, no fee listedNew York: Picked up at the curb, no fee listedOakland: Free curbside pickup, in writingOklahoma City: Picked up at the curb, no fee listedOmaha: Picked up at the curb, no fee listedPhiladelphia: Picked up at the curb, no fee listedPhoenix: Picked up at the curb, no fee listedPortland: Curbside pickup costs extraRaleigh: Picked up at the curb, no fee listedSacramento: Picked up at the curb, no fee listedSan Antonio: Picked up at the curb, no fee listedSan Diego: Picked up at the curb, no fee listedSan Francisco: Free curbside pickup, in writingSan Jose: Picked up at the curb, no fee listedSeattle: Free curbside pickup, in writingTampa: Free curbside pickup, in writingTucson: Drop-off sites onlyTulsa: Picked up at the curb, no fee listedVirginia Beach: Picked up at the curb, no fee listedWashington: Picked up at the curb, no fee listed

All 50 cities

Every row is labeled with the season its rules come from. Download the CSV

CitySeasonCurbsideWhenDrop-offRulesSource
Albuquerque, NM2026-27 seasonNone listedDecember 28, 2026 through January 10, 2027, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Montessa Park closed Thursdays and Fridays3 sitesNo decorations · Take off the stand · No plastic bagsOfficial page ↗
Arlington, TX2025-26 seasonYes, no fee listedDec. 26, 2025 through Jan. 15, 2026; Landfill 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Mon-Sat, Calloway's Nursery 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily2 sites, freeNo decorations · Take off the stand · No plastic bags · Flocked trees OK · Trees over 6 feet must be cut in half for trash pick-upOfficial page ↗
Atlanta, GAYear-round ruleYes, no fee listedDiscarded Christmas trees are listed as accepted yard trimmings; no special holiday window posted on the pageNone listedNone listedOfficial page ↗
Austin, TX2025-26 seasonYes, no fee listedBeginning Dec. 26, place trees curbside by 5:30 a.m. on your regularly scheduled composting collection dayYesNo tinsel · Take off the stand · No plastic bags · No flocked trees · Trees six feet or taller should be cut in halfOfficial page ↗
Bakersfield, CANo season foundNot confirmedDates not postedNone listedNone listedOfficial page ↗
Baltimore, MD2025-26 seasonYes, no fee listedPlaced out with weekly trash collections until Saturday, Feb. 7, 20261 site, freeNo tinselOfficial page ↗
Boston, MAYear-round ruleYes, no fee listedCollected curbside on your normal trash day during the two weeks following Christmas; first collection day if you have two per weekNone listedNo decorations · No plastic bagsOfficial page ↗
Charlotte, NC2026-27 seasonYes, no fee listedNatural trees should be placed at the curb for yard waste collection on the resident's regular collection dayNone listedNo tinselOfficial page ↗
Chicago, IL2025-26 seasonNone listedJan 3-17, 2026, 6 am to 11 pm daily at park tree recycling corrals27 sitesNo tinsel · Take off the stand · No plastic bagsOfficial page ↗
Colorado Springs, CO2025-26 seasonNone listedDates not postedYesNone listedOfficial page ↗
Columbus, OHYear-round ruleYes, no fee listedHoliday trees are collectedNone listedNo decorationsOfficial page ↗
Dallas, TX2025-26 seasonYes, no fee listedmonthly brush and bulky item collection4 sitesNo tinsel · No plastic bagsOfficial page ↗
Denver, CO2025-26 seasonYes, no fee listedIf you don't want to recycle, we'll collect it on your large item pickup day.11 sitesNo decorations · Take off the standOfficial page ↗
Detroit, MI2025-26 seasonYes, no fee listedChristmas trees will be collected during the first two weeks of January.None listedNone listedOfficial page ↗
El Paso, TX2025-26 seasonNone listedFree recycling of live holiday trees starting December 27 at any Citizen Collection Station5 sitesNo decorationsOfficial page ↗
Fort Worth, TXYear-round ruleYes, no fee listedLive trees can be disposed of as part of the normal weekly yard waste pickup following the holidays4 sitesNo decorations · Take off the stand · No plastic bags · Flocked trees OK · Trees must be less than eight feet long; cut in two pieces if necessaryOfficial page ↗
Fresno, CAYear-round ruleYes, no fee listedNo special season posted; live Christmas trees accepted in the green cart year-roundNone listedNo tinsel · Take off the stand · Cut to 3-foot lengths or less, under 4 inches in diameter, lid must closeOfficial page ↗
Houston, TX2025-26 seasonNone listedDec 26 through Jan 23; hours vary by site (neighborhood depositories Wed-Sun 10am-7pm, Tue-Sat 9am-6pm from Jan 5)20 sitesNo tinsel · Take off the stand · No flocked treesOfficial page ↗
Indianapolis, INNo season foundNot confirmedDates not postedNone listedNone listedOfficial page ↗
Jacksonville, FLYear-round ruleYes, no fee listedYard waste is collected weeklyNone listedNo decorations · Take off the standOfficial page ↗
Kansas City, MOYear-round ruleNot confirmedDates not postedNone listedNone listedOfficial page ↗
Las Vegas, NV2025-26 seasonNone listedDec. 26 - Jan. 15; more than 30 drop sites across Southern NevadaYes, freeNo tinsel · No flocked treesOfficial page ↗
Long Beach, CA2025-26 seasonYes, no fee listedOne-time curbside collection Saturday, Jan. 10, 202613 sites, freeNo decorations · Take off the stand · Flocked trees OK · Cut trees in half if over 12 feet tallOfficial page ↗
Los Angeles, CA2025-26 seasonNot confirmedParks sites one day only, Sun Jan 4, 2026, 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM; fire stations through Jan 31None listedNone listedOfficial page ↗
Louisville, KY2025-26 seasonNone listedOpen Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Dec 26 - Jan 17; closed New Year's Day3 sitesNo decorationsOfficial page ↗
Memphis, TN2025-26 seasonYes, no fee listedDecember 26, 2025 through January 16, 2026 at 105 South Germantown Road1 siteNo decorations · Take off the standOfficial page ↗
Mesa, AZ2026-27 seasonnominal fee (amount not stated)Call 480-644-6789 to schedule5 sitesNo decorations · Take off the stand · No flocked treesOfficial page ↗
Miami, FLYear-round ruleNot confirmedDates not postedNone listedNone listedOfficial page ↗
Milwaukee, WIYear-round ruleYes, no fee listedRequests accepted December 26 to January 31 (posted for the 2024/2025 season)YesNo decorations · No plastic bags · No flocked treesOfficial page ↗
Minneapolis, MNYear-round ruleYes, no fee listedDates not postedNone listedNo decorations · Trees 6 feet or taller must be cut in halfOfficial page ↗
Nashville, TN2025-26 seasonYes, no fee listedDecember 26, 2025 through February 13, 202614 sitesNo decorations · Take off the standOfficial page ↗
New York, NY2025-26 seasonYes, no fee listedCollected weekly on your recycling and compost day; no limited tree scheduleYesNo tinsel · Take off the stand · No plastic bagsOfficial page ↗
Oakland, CA2025-26 seasonFreeHoliday Tree Composting Schedule: December 26, 2025 - January 16, 2026None listedNo decorations · Take off the stand · No flocked trees · Cut tree to smaller than 5 feet in lengthOfficial page ↗
Oklahoma City, OK2025-26 seasonYes, no fee listedNatural or artificial trees may be set at the curb with bulky waste on the assigned monthly date.2 sitesNo decorations · Take off the stand · No flocked treesOfficial page ↗
Omaha, NE2025-26 seasonYes, no fee listedAt any time Christmas trees may be cut down to fit in the black lid waste cart.14 sitesNo decorations · Take off the stand · No plastic bags · Flocked trees OKOfficial page ↗
Philadelphia, PA2025-26 seasonYes, no fee listedMonday, January 5, 2026, through Saturday, January 17, 2026, at designated sites or sanitation convenience centersYesNo decorationsOfficial page ↗
Phoenix, AZ2026-27 seasonYes, no fee listedUp to 4 bulk trash appointments per year; allotment resets Jan 116 sitesNo tinsel · Take off the stand · No plastic bags · No flocked trees · Chop small enough to fit in the black bin or Curbside Green Organics bin (curbside option)Official page ↗
Portland, OR2026-27 season$5.60 per whole tree (6 ft max); free if cut into 3-ft pieces that fit in the green compost cartDates not postedNone listedNo tinsel · Take off the stand · No flocked trees · Cut into pieces 3 feet or shorter to put in the compost cart at no extra chargeOfficial page ↗
Raleigh, NC2025-26 seasonYes, no fee listedChristmas tree pickup runs from December 26 - February 1None listedNo decorationsOfficial page ↗
Sacramento, CA2025-26 seasonYes, no fee listedLeaf Season runs November through January; last day to put trees out was February 1, 20266 sites, freeNo tinsel · Take off the stand · Flocked trees OKOfficial page ↗
San Antonio, TX2025-26 seasonYes, no fee listedduring normal weekly collection4 sites, freeNo decorations · Take off the stand · No plastic bagsOfficial page ↗
San Diego, CA2025-26 seasonYes, no fee listedpickup on collection day16 sitesNo tinsel · Take off the stand · No plastic bags · Flocked trees OK · Cut trees to fit into the green binOfficial page ↗
San Francisco, CA2025-26 seasonFreePlace trees curbside the night before your scheduled collection day between January 2 and January 16, 2026.None listedNo tinsel · Take off the stand · No plastic bags · No flocked trees · Trees over 6 feet tall must be cut in halfOfficial page ↗
San Jose, CA2025-26 seasonYes, no fee listedOn your regular collection day from Dec. 26, 2025, to Jan. 30, 2026; set out by 6 a.m.None listedNo tinsel · Take off the stand · Cut the trees into 5-foot piecesOfficial page ↗
Seattle, WA2025-26 seasonFreeFree through January 31; starting February 1 extra yard waste fees apply.2 sites, freeNo tinsel · No flocked trees · Curbside: cut into 4-foot lengths or shorterOfficial page ↗
Tampa, FL2025-26 seasonFreeService began Friday, January 2, 2026 at no additional charge; no end date postedNone listedNo decorations · Cut tree limbs to 4-foot lengths and bundleOfficial page ↗
Tucson, AZ2026-27 seasonNone listedSaturday, December 26, 2026 through Monday, January 18, 2027; most sites open daylight hours seven days a week, some have set hours10 sitesNo tinsel · Take off the standOfficial page ↗
Tulsa, OK2025-26 seasonYes, no fee listedIn December and January1 siteNo decorations · Cut into 4-foot sectionsOfficial page ↗
Virginia Beach, VA2025-26 seasonYes, no fee listedChristmas trees are collected as regular yard waste on your normal collection day.2 sitesNo tinsel · Take off the standOfficial page ↗
Washington, DC2025-26 seasonYes, no fee listedJanuary 2 through February 28, 2026; collected as space permits in the truck3 sitesNo decorations · No plastic bagsOfficial page ↗

How we did this

We took the 50 biggest U.S. cities by population and read each city’s own Christmas tree, yard waste or sanitation pages, or the hauler the city sends you to. We only used official pages. When a live page was blocked, we used an archived copy of the same official page.

“Free” means the city’s page says free or no extra charge. If a city takes trees at the curb but lists no price, we put it in its own group and don’t call it free. Rules like “no tinsel” only count when the page says so.

Caveats

  • Most cities post tree dates in December. Where 2026-27 dates weren’t up yet, we show last season’s, labeled “2025-26 season.” “Year-round rule” means the city’s page has no season and applies every year.
  • Portland’s $5.60 is per whole tree up to 6 feet, at 2026-27 rates. Cut into 3-foot pieces, it fits in the compost cart at no extra charge.
  • Mesa charges a fee for a bulk tree pickup but doesn’t list the amount.
  • In Philadelphia and Arlington, trees left at the curb go out with the trash, not to mulch.
  • Los Angeles’s tree page blocked our checks, so we list it as not confirmed. We could not confirm a tree program from official pages for Bakersfield, Indianapolis, Kansas City and Miami.
  • Apartment buildings often follow different rules. Check your city’s page before you set the tree out.

Getting rid of a couch or mattress instead? See what the 50 biggest cities charge for bulky pickup.

You can use any graphic on this page with a link back to whereisthedump.com/research/christmas-tree-pickup/.

Sources

Last verified: Nov 6, 2026. Check the official page or call before you go.

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