Five Rivers MetroParks has collected natural trees post-holiday in year’s past on behalf of its conservation team and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Trees were collected to sink at Eastwood Lake and the aquatic habitats at Possum Creek to help bolster the health and population of fish.
Due to the overwhelming generosity of the community last year, MetroParks collected and sank so many trees it does not need to collect any this year.
While MetroParks won’t be hosting tree collections in 2026, it does encourage you to dispose of your tree in a sustainable way. Here are just a few options:
Drop off your tree at a green recycling or composting facility
Before doing so, remove all tinsel, lights, decorations, tree stands and plastic bags.
- Green Debris Waste Center (City of Dayton residents only)
2670 Wagner Ford Rd., Dayton, OH 45414
Winter Hours: Last week of December through Feb. 28, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Montgomery County Solid Waste Transfer Station (Montgomery County residents only)
1001 Encrete Ln, Moraine, OH 45439
Monday to Friday: 6 a.m. to 8p.m.; Saturday: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. (Christmas trees are accepted throughout the year)
- City of Kettering Yard Debris Center (City of Kettering residents only)
1840 Woodman Center Dr., Kettering, Ohio 45420
Winter Hours: Begin the first Saturday in December; Saturdays Only: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- City of Moraine (City of Moraine residents only)
This program extends for approximately 30 days after Christmas. Any resident interested in this should place their Christmas trees at the street curb for pick up. All collected Christmas trees are chipped and recycled into wood chips.
- Greene County (Greene County residents only)
2145 Greene Way Blvd., Xenia, OH 45385
Hours: Monday to Friday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
1256 Dayton-Yellow Springs Rd., Fairborn, OH 45324
Hours: Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday: 8 a.m. to noon
Create, craft, garden and more
- Use for wood in a fire pit: Let your tree dry out outside and then cut it up for firewood. Note: Do not leave the tree to dry out inside because pine trees are flammable
- Create a habitat in your yard for animals and insects: Place your tree in a stand outside and place bird feeders on the branches or in the tree. Let it biodegrade in your backyard. Note: If you have space in your backyard, either place the entire tree or cut it into sticks and let it biodegrade
- Mulch with pine needles: Remove pine needles from your Christmas tree and then use them for mulch once they have dried out.
- Insulate perennials with boughs to protect them from snow and frost
- Make coasters or trivets: Saw off thin slabs of the trunk and sand them smooth. Note: Be careful of sap if using on tables
- Make DIY air fresheners: Crush up the pine needles and place them in potpourri
- Donate it to a farm with goats, donkeys, and/or alpacas: Be completely sure that the tree was not sprayed with chemicals like fire retardant
