Broward offers Christmas-tree chipping again
A wilting Christmas tree can find new life at local parks thanks to Broward’s Chip-a-Tree program.
Residents can remove holiday adornments and drop off trees at any of the county’s Chip-a-Tree locations, where the once festive trees will be ground into mulch and put to use in one of the nearly 50 park sites around Broward.
“We have a large parks system and plenty of need for the mulch,” said Michael Mills, special projects coordinator for Broward County Parks. “It’s used throughout the system, from all the way up to the Palm Beach County line to the Miami-Dade line.
Last year nearly 4,000
trees were recycled in the Chip-a-Tree program. Mills said the department hasn’t calculated the savings in dollars, but the wood chips contribute to the department’s successful operation.
“It’s a way to help make sure the county parks system is well maintained. We use the mulch generated internally,” he said.
Broward County Parks Department has put on the Chip-a-Tree program for the past 27 years. This year, 13 parks will participate and the program runs through Jan. 18. Northwest Broward residents can drop off trees at Fern Forest Nature Center, 201 Lyons Road South in Coconut Creek, and Tradewinds Park and Stables, 3600 W. Sample Road in Coconut Creek.
Parks that charge a gate fee will waive the charge and admit cars for tree drop off. The only requirements are that all lights and decorations must be removed. No artificial trees are accepted and there is a limit of two trees per vehicle.
“We want to encourage people to recycle,” Mills said. “We have always believed this is a good cause and appreciate the support our patrons give to us by giving up their trees.”
Nearby Fort Lauderdale even offers curbside pickup on regularly scheduled yard waste collection days. However tinsel, decor and lights must be removed.
For information about Broward County’s Chip-a-Tree program, visit Broward.org.
Helen Wolt can be reached at hwolt@tribpub.com.