Boy Scouts’ Christmas tree pick-up on Saturday
The holidays are over and many Lodians have begun the process of taking down all their Christmas decorations and trees. For those who chose to go the natural route for a Christmas tree, figuring out what to do with the tree after the Christmas season can be a hassle. But there is no need to worry, because at least 500 Lodi Boy Scouts accompanied by their parents will be doing their annual Christmas tree pickup this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
According to pick-up coordinator and at-large Boy Scout volunteer Robert Watanabe, scouts will be riding up and down the streets of Lodi and Woodbridge, picking up trees that are along the curb. He encourages those wishing to have their trees picked up to have them out at the curb by 8 a.m. on Saturday. After picking up trees from the curbs, scouts will be knocking on the door of the residents to ask for donations.
Those who’d like to register their tree for pick up and give a donation in advance can do so at
Donation amounts suggested on the website include $5 for trees under 6 feet tall, $10 for trees 6 to 10 feet tall and $20 for trees over 10 feet tall.
If a tree is not picked up by 3 p.m. on Saturday, Watanabe asks that those still wishing to have their tree picked up to call him at 209-608-7550 so they can make sure they pick up all the trees.
“This is a two-fold project for the Boy Scouts. It’s active service for the community to pick up their trees, as well as way for the boys to raise funds for their activities,” Watanabe said.
He said the boys collect up to 15 tons of trees each year and bring in up to $8,000 in donations. A majority of the proceeds go back to the Boys Scouts’ activities while the rest is used for promotions.
Watanabe said the tree pick-up has been a tradition for the Lodi Boy Scouts since the ’50s and ’60s.
“Years ago they would pick up all the trees and put them all in piles behind Lodi High School and have a great big bonfire,” Watanabe said.
Now days the trees are sent to the transfer station where they’re grounded up into compost. Watanabe said some of the trees have gone in to the local lakes or wildlife fish habitats.