Imagine 30,000 Christmas trees all piled up next to each other. The group Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful says that's how many trees are recycled through their program each year. They are hosting their 27th annual tree recycling program with the help of local government sponsors. There are more than a dozen drop-off locations in Winnebago County.
Martha Byrnes with Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful says they will be chipped into mulch. The mulch will also be available to residents to take in the coming months.
"Pine mulch is a good nutrient for any acid-loving plants in your landscaping."
Christmas trees will be accepted during the first two weeks of January. They must be completely bare.
"One of the things we recommend is wrapping it in an old sheet or blanket. That way, you don't have any plastic you need to recycle later."
Winnebago County (Jan. 1-Jan. 15)
Cherry Valley: Baumann Park, South Walnut entrance.
Loves Park: Martin Park, lot on Park Ridge Road off Riverside Boulevard.
Machesney Park: behind Village Hall, 300 Machesney Road.
Rockford: Alpine Park, 950 South Alpine Road; Andrews Park, 800 North Central Ave; Blackhawk Park, 100 – 15th Ave; Don Schmid Youth Sports Center, Riverdahl Park off Sandy Hollow; Gambino Park, 4400 block of Pepper Drive west of North Alpine Road; Levings Lake, east entrance off Johnston Avenue.
Rockton: Boat Ramp Parking Lot off Hononegah Road (opposite Hononegah baseball field) and Williams Tree Farm, 4661 Yale Bridge Road.
Roscoe: Valley View Farms, 6440 Belvidere Road.
Pecatonica: 4550 N Pecatonica Road, near picnic area, Pecatonica Wetlands Forest Preserve.
The McHenry County Conservation District is also holding a tree recycling event.
McHenry County (Dec. 26- Jan. 15)
Ringwood: Glacial Park, Rt. 31 and Harts Rd.(off Harts Road parking lot)
Harvard: Rush Creek, 20501 McGuire Rd. (at twin oaks parking area – west of pond)
Crystal Lake: Algonquin Township Headquarters, 3702 U.S. Highway 14.
Ogle County (Dec. 26-Jan. 18)
Byron: Sunshine Park, IL Route 2 & S. Peru St.
Forreston: 407 N. Locust St. Leaf River: 208 W. Railroad St. by Sewage Treatment Plant.
Monroe Center: 309 Pacific St. (Lichty’s Landscaping).
Oregon: 507 Hill St. at Oregon Park District maintenance yard.
Polo: 410 N. Prairie Ave., west of storage building.
Rochelle: Atwood Park, 10th Ave. and 20th St. behind band shell.
