Christmas tree disposal in Surrey

A real Christmas tree is garden waste once the decorations come off, and in Surrey there are several easy ways to get rid of it that keep it out of landfill. This guide goes through them, from the council's collections to replanting a tree in a pot.

Before it goes anywhere

Whichever way you dispose of it, strip the tree first:

• Every decoration, including tinsel, hooks, lights and anything wired on. Tinsel and wire jam the shredders used to chip trees.
• The stand, pot and any netting. Most collections and recycling centres will turn away a tree still in its stand.
• Fake snow and glitter sprays. A sprayed tree usually cannot be composted, so check with your council before putting one out.

An artificial tree is not garden waste. If it is too worn to give away, it goes in the general waste at a recycling centre.

Your council's garden waste collection

Most councils in Surrey collect real Christmas trees in January, either with the garden waste bin for households that subscribe to it or on set collection days. Small trees can usually go in the bin itself; larger ones often need cutting into lengths of about a metre and putting out beside it. The dates, sizes and rules change from year to year and between councils, so check your own council's website before you put a tree out.

Surrey's recycling centres

Surrey's community recycling centres accept real Christmas trees as garden waste. Cut a big tree down to fit in the car, and wrap it in an old sheet to keep the needles off the seats. Check the opening days and any booking rules for your nearest centre before you go, as they can change over the holidays.

Replanting a potted tree

A tree sold with its roots in a pot can live outside after Christmas. Bring it in as late as you can and keep it away from radiators while it is indoors. Afterwards, move it to a sheltered spot outside for a week or two before planting, so it gets used to the cold again, then plant it at the same depth it sat in the pot and water it well.

A cut tree, or one sold in a pot after its roots were trimmed, will not grow on. Most "potted" trees in supermarkets are the second kind.

In your own garden

• Compost it: cut the branches small. Needles break down slowly, so mix them in with other material.
• Mulch: chipped branches make a good mulch for borders and paths.
• Wildlife: a pile of branches in a quiet corner gives shelter to birds, hedgehogs and insects over the winter.

Please do not burn a Christmas tree on a fire or in a log burner. The resin burns hot and spits, and builds up tar in the chimney.

A good time for other tree work

January is in the dormant season, when most trees are best pruned. If a tree in your garden needs crown reduction, crown thinning or hedge trimming, winter is a good time to have it looked at. Every quote is free.