Christmas tree collection began Dec. 26 in Temecula and will continue for a two-week period through Jan. 9, according to CR&R Inc., the city's waste management provider.
In order to have them picked up, customers should place trees at the curb on their regular collection days. Trees more than 6-feet-tall must be cut it in half; smaller trees should be placed inside customers' green waste carts.
"Our tree collectors will come by on your collection day so there is no need to call the office," said CR&R.
Christmas trees are considered organic waste, which means they can be composted, mulched or even converted into fuel, according to CR&R.
But the tree is only organic, CR&R advised, if it is stripped down to its original form, which means removing all the lights, ornaments and tinsel.
The “flocked” tree, in which the tree is spray painted white for a more “wintery” feel is not compostable, the company advised.
