How to Have Your Christmas Tree Collected

The Streets Division provides two rounds of curbside collection for Christmas trees.

The Rules for Christmas Tree Collection

If you do not follow the below, your tree will not be collected from the curb:

• Remove the tree stand.
• Remove all tree decorations such as lights, tinsel, ornaments, tree toppers, and so on.
• Do not place your tree into a bag.
• Follow the tree placement instructions.
• Crews are only collecting trees. Boughs, wreaths, and other evergreen decorations belong in the trash.

When Should You Set Out Your Tree for Pickup

Round One: Set Out Your Tree by January 5, 2026

For the first round, set your tree on the terrace or right-of-way space near the public street by your home on or by 6:30am, January 5, 2026.

Trees set to the curb on or before 6:30am January 5, 2026 will likely be collected sometime between January 5 and January 16, 2026, depending on weather conditions and crew availability.

If you place your tree out for collection after January 5, your tree may not be collected until the second round.

Round Two: Set Out Your Tree by January 20, 2026

For the second and final curbside collection opportunity, you must have your tree out for collection on or by 6:30 a.m. on January 20, 2026.

Trees set on the terrace or right-of-way space at this time will likely be collected sometime between January 20 and February 6, depending on weather conditions and crew availability.

If you set your tree out for collection after 6:30 a.m. January 20, 2026, you are likely to miss your curbside collection opportunity.

If you miss your chance, crews will not collect your tree until the start of the regular brush collection season in the spring of 2026.

Tree Placement

Trees must be placed on the terrace, or the road edge along the public street, and they must be accessible by collection crews.

Place your trees at least four feet away from obstructions like utility poles, fire hydrants, and other obstructions.

Streets Division crews cannot enter onto private property to collect items, including trees.

Snowstorms and Tree Collection

Streets Division crews will stop collecting trees to respond to a snowstorm.

The same people who collect trees are the same people who drive the plows. Snowy weather may result in pickup delays.

If your tree gets buried under snow and ice, you will need to dig it out for our crews to collect it.

Sign Up for Collection Alerts

You can sign up to receive emails about schedule updates on the holiday tree collection website.

That email list will also be used to send out alerts regarding any changes that may happen during the regular brush collection season, and also during the yard waste collection season.

Wreaths, Garlands, Boughs, Other Evergreen Decorations

Do not place wreaths, evergreen rope, garlands, and boughs out for tree collection.

These belong in the trash.

They contain wires or metal that can damage wood chipping equipment.

Drop-off Sites

You can also bring your holiday tree to a Streets Division drop-off site.

The hours of the sites change seasonally.

Check the drop-off sites website for more information about hours and locations of the sites.

What happens with collected trees?

The trees collected by the Streets Division are taken to the Streets Division's brush processing center where it is ground into mulch.

Additional Information

Additional information regarding tree collection, and other winter-related city operations, can be found on the City of Madison's Winter website.