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Hernando Today

County Wants Your Yule Tree

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By MICHAEL D. BATES

The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 27, 2008

BROOKSVILLE - That old tree sitting in the family room, so admired during the past few weeks with all the unwrapped presents underneath, now looks pretty dry and bare.

And with Christmas come and gone, many people want to clear away any vestiges of the season and move their furniture back to its proper locations.

Rather than lug the tree to the curb and wait for the garbage hauler to take it away, the county is urging people to consider recycling.

Recycling benefits the county because the trees don't take up space at the landfill. Homeowners benefit because they can haul away the mulch and use it in their gardens, flowerbeds and driveways.

"I think it's a great thing for people to make sure the tree is recycled properly and nothing is wasted," Community Relations Coordinator Brenda Frazier said.

Frazier said residents can take the trees to any of the county's three waste convenience stations or directly to the landfill. Just make sure all the tinsel and ornaments are off, she said. And obviously, leave the tree stands at home.

People should never burn their trees in the fireplace or wood stove because they can cause a creosote buildup. If dry, the trees can flare up and start a chimney fire.

The recycling rush probably won't start until early next week.

However, a staffer at the Osowaw station said he had one early-bird Friday morning who already came and dumped off his tree.

Trees will be accepted during normal business hours at the following places: The Northwest Waste Management facility at 14450 Landfill Road in Brooksville; the convenience station at the East Hernando Convenience Station at 33070 State Road 50; or at the West Hernando convenience station at 2525 Osowaw Blvd.

Meanwhile, for procrastinators who didn't want to spend money on real trees before Christmas, there were still 45 choice Scotch pines, Douglas firs and spruce trees laying under a tent at Tip Top Trees, at the corner of Spring Hill Drive and Airmont Drive, in front of Holy Cross Lutheran Church.

The trees, which originally sold for $23.50 a piece, are now free for the taking, according to the sign by the tent.

As of Friday morning, there didn't appear to be any takers.

Reporter Michael D. Bates can be reached at 352-544-5290 or mbates@hernandotoday.com.

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