Return your tree to nature -- do NOT put it in the garbage

Between now and January 20th you can recycle your holiday tree by dropping it off at any of twenty-three Chicago parks. Our closest drop-off points are the "tree corrals" at the Boat House at Humboldt park, 1369 N. Sacramento Blvd. and at Garfield Park, 100 N. Central Park Ave. Other locations can be had by dialing 3-1-1 or going to this web document.

The trees will be turned into mulch and used throughout the year as ground cover on city and park property. Please remove all ornaments and tinsel from the tree as glass, plastic and foil do not make for a good mulch mix.

You can pick up FREE mulch from these sites between Jan. 13 and 20.

For other ideas on what to do with your holiday tree, see my previous article.