County Urges Tree Recycling

BROOKSVILLE - Christmas is over.
The presents are unwrapped. The decorations are starting to look a little old. Thoughts are turning to New Year's Eve celebrations.
And that weeks-old tree sitting in the family room is now becoming pretty dry and bare. Worse, it's taking up space.
The county has a solution.
Once again they are touting the benefits of recycling. And this year, Scott Harper, projects manager for the county's solid waste division, hopes more people will take advantage of the program.
Last year, few people took their trees to the landfill or convenience station, he said.
Recycling benefits the county because the trees don't take up space at the landfill. Homeowners benefit because they can haul off the mulch and use it in their gardens, flowerbeds and driveways.
The mulch also provides aromatic ground cover that reduces soil erosion and deters weed growth.
Harper said homeowners should strip the tree of all ornaments, tinsel and bulbs before dropping them off. And obviously, they should leave the tree stands at home.
Harper said he expects the majority of trees to be dropped off after Jan. 1, the traditional time to take them down.
He advises against burning them 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, he said.
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 in Ridge Manor, or the West Hernando convenience station at 2525 Osowaw Blvd. in Spring Hill.