Today's holiday symbol is tomorrow's mulch

Christmas tree recycling through curbside pickup will be provided by Douglas County Parks & Recreation and Douglas Disposal and South Tahoe Refuse.

Two ways to recycle Christmas trees:

1. Place tree next to trash can on normal pickup day, Jan. 1-5 in Carson Valley and Dec. 27-29 or Jan. 1-5 at Lake Tahoe. Residents without trash pickup service may put their trees out with neighbors who do.

2. Drop off tree at one of the following collection sites:

n Lampe Park - Waterloo Lane, Gardnerville

n Johnson Lane Park - Stephanie Way, Johnson Lane area

n Topaz Ranch Estates Park - Carter Way, TRE area

n Ranchos Aspen Park - Muir Drive, Gardnerville Ranchos area

n Douglas County Fairgrounds - Pinenut Road

n Zephyr Cove Park - Warrior Way

n Kahle Park - Kingsbury Grade at Highway 50

To protect workers and equipment, remove tinsel, lights, nails and stands from tree before dropping off.

Flocked trees will not be accepted because they "gum up" the chippers.

Contact Douglas County Parks & Recreation for more information, 782-9835 or 782-9828.

Town of Minden has a special trash schedule for the Christmas tree recycling:

n Christmas trees will be picked up Jan. 2.

n There will be extra trash pickup the week after Christmas on regular trash day.