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Christmas tree recycling in Dallas-Fort Worth

Real trees are mulched for free across DFW if you get them to the right place. Here's how each city does it.

Dates for this season aren't out yet. Cities usually announce them in mid-December. The dates below are from last season, so treat them as a guide. Updated October 27, 2026.

Before you go, in every city

  • Real trees only. Most cities can't mulch flocked or fake-snow trees.
  • Strip every light, ornament, hook, nail and strand of tinsel, and take it off the stand.
  • Don't bag it.
  • Cut tall trees down to size if your city has a limit (often 4 to 6 feet).

Dallas

Curbside: Set natural trees out with your monthly brush and bulky collection. The city says these trees aren't recycled, so drop off if you can.

Drop-off:

Last season: Drop-off ran December 26 to January 24.

Natural trees only. No flocked or fake-snow trees. Remove all decorations, tinsel and lights, and don't bag it. Recycled trees are mulched free.

All Dallas dump sites

Fort Worth

Curbside: Put live trees out with weekly yard waste. Don't bag them, take them off the stand and remove lights, nails and decorations. Cut anything over 8 feet in two. Artificial trees go in the brown garbage cart.

Drop-off:

Live trees become mulch.

All Fort Worth dump sites

Arlington

Curbside: Put natural trees up to 6 feet out on your regular trash day, at least 2 feet from your bins, until the second Friday of January. Cut taller trees in half. After that, cut them into 4-foot bundles and set them out as yard waste.

Remove lights, tinsel, ornaments, hooks and the stand.

All Arlington dump sites

Plano

Drop-off:
  • Old Shepard Place Park, Russell Creek Park and Schell Park · City drop-off points

Last season: Drop-off ran December 26 to January 3.

Remove all plastic and metal. Flocked or fake-snow trees can't be recycled.

All Plano dump sites

Frisco

Curbside: Set trees out on your regular trash day, at least 3 feet from your carts. Don't bag them. Cut trees over 5 feet into sections no longer than 4 feet and under 60 pounds.

Drop-off:
  • Frisco Environmental Collection Center · Composted into mulch

Remove all supports and decorations.

All Frisco dump sites

McKinney

Curbside: Frontier Waste Solutions collects live trees on regular trash days for composting.

Drop-off:
  • Al Ruschhaupt Soccer Fields (Park View Ave) and Gabe Nesbitt Park (Hillsdale Dr) · For apartment residents

Last season: Composting collection ran December 26 to January 16.

Remove lights, ornaments and decorations. Natural wreaths, garland and poinsettias can be recycled the same way.

All McKinney dump sites

Irving

Curbside: Trees set out with weekly brush and bulky waste are collected but not recycled.

Drop-off:
  • Hunter Ferrell Landfill · Christmas Tree Roundup site, mulch for sale
  • Cottonwood Creek Park, Las Colinas Service Center and Southwest Park · Christmas Tree Roundup sites

Last season: The Christmas Tree Roundup ran December 26 to January 11.

Remove all decorations and plastic.

All Irving dump sites

Grand Prairie

Drop-off:

Last season: Drop-off ran December 26 to January 11.

Remove ornaments, the stand and any plastic bag.

All Grand Prairie dump sites

Garland

Curbside: Set trees out with brush collection.

Drop-off:

Remove tinsel, lights, decorations, the stand and any plastic bag.

All Garland dump sites

Denton

Curbside: Set natural trees out for brush collection. Cut trees over 6 feet in half.

Drop-off:

Remove tinsel, lights, decorations and the stand.

All Denton dump sites

Christmas tree questions

When does Christmas tree recycling start in Dallas-Fort Worth?

Most cities open drop-off on December 26 and run it into January. Last season deadlines ranged from January 3 in Plano to January 24 in Dallas. Cities announce this season's dates in December.

Can I recycle a flocked or fake-snow tree?

Usually not. Dallas and Plano both say flocked trees can't be mulched. Fort Worth accepts them with yard waste if they're under 8 feet. Otherwise they go out as regular trash.

What do I need to remove before recycling my tree?

Every light, ornament, hook, piece of tinsel, nail and the stand. Never bag the tree. A single wire can ruin a batch of mulch.

What do I do with an artificial tree?

Artificial trees can't be mulched. Donate it if it's in good shape, or put it out as trash. In Fort Worth it goes in the brown garbage cart, or to a drop-off station.

Is Christmas tree recycling free?

Yes. Every city drop-off and curbside programme listed here is free for residents.

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