Local

Need to get rid of your Christmas tree? Here are a few options.

There's the tried-and-true curbside pickup, or feed it to a few hungry goats.

Christanie Channell is pictured with goats at the Channell Homestead, as they chowed down on used Christmas trees last year. Jim Davis/Globe Staff

By Rosemary Ford

December 27, 2021

Oh, that Christmas tree.

It was so pretty during the holidays, filling your home with that pleasant pine smell as you celebrated with family and friends.

But alas, the new year approaches and it’s time to bid that tree farewell.

What can you do to dispose of your tree? Here are a few suggestions:

Curbside pickup

Boston residents can put out their trees out between Jan. 3 and Jan. 14 on their first recycling day. The trees will be shredded into compost, which will be distributed in various Boston parks to help things grow.

After the first two weeks of January, the trees will be collected as trash and sent to a waste-energy facility, according to the Boston Public Works Department.

Hey @CityOfBoston residents, give your #ChristmasTree 🎄 a second life! We collect trees to be shredded into #compost during the first two full weeks of January (3 – 14), on your 1st collection day. Place your tree on the curb by 6 am without ornaments or lights. #ZeroWasteCity pic.twitter.com/HICLy2o6aq
— Boston Public Works (@BostonPWD) December 26, 2021

Cambridge residents can also put their trees out between Jan. 3 and Jan. 14.

The trees should be undecorated and not in a plastic bag. The trees will also be mulched and composted, according to the city.

For those who miss curbside collection, residents can bring bare trees to the recycling center during open hours. The last day to drop off a tree is Jan. 29.

Newton residents can have their trees picked up on their collection days between Jan. 3 and Jan. 10, according to the city.

Quincy residents can put their trees out for collection from Dec. 27 through Dec. 31, and from Jan 1 through Jan. 7, according to the city.

Donate to a farm

For goats, especially, Christmas trees are a delicious treat, that’s good for them as well.

According to The Boston Globe, the pine needles contain small amounts of nutrients, antioxidants, minerals, and fiber. They’re also a natural de-wormer.

If you want to give your tree to a few hungry goats, here are tips from the Channell Homestead in Hanson:

Make sure the trees haven’t been sprayed with pesticides or fire retardant. If you don’t know, ask the farm or the store where you bought your tree.
The tree must be alive. Goats won’t eat dead trees.
Don’t leave tinsel or decorations on the tree.

Here are a few Massachusetts farms accepting Christmas trees for their residents. Contact the farms for drop-off directions.

Channell Homestead, Hanson

Carl E. Dahl House, Gardner

Firefly Fields Farm, Southwick

Hidden Hill Farm, Spencer

Oak Tree Homestead & Forge, Lunenberg

Sage Meadow Farm, Easthampton

Slightly Off Course, Ashburnham

Unity Farm Sanctuary, Sherborn

Check with your local Scouts

Local scouting groups often use tree disposal as a fundraiser for their good deeds in the community.

In Winchester, Boy Scouts are collecting trees in town for $20 each. Orders must be placed by Jan. 3 for a Jan. 8 pick-up. Trees must be free of decorations and out on the curb on Jan. 8 by 7 a.m. They will be picked up by 4 p.m.