Now that Christmas is over, it's time to get rid of that fresh-cut tree before it becomes a fire hazard (if it hasn't already).

FILE 1999/Staff photo

TRY RECYCLING: A noble end for that noble fir

You could leave it at the curb for the trash collectors to take to the landfill. Or you could recycle it instead. And you might receive a gift: free mulch made from the trees you and your neighbors recycle.

Not all area cities give their residents a choice about recycling; they collect trees at the curb and cart them off to the landfill.

But many offer residents a site for Christmas-tree recycling, or collect the trees curbside to recycle.

And a few of these cities, after chipping and shredding the trees, return them to residents as free mulch. (Residents will have to shovel it themselves.)

Remember to remove all tinsel, decorations, nails, tree stands, etc., from the trees before collection. Bring a shovel and containers for the mulch. And because the mulch is for each city's residents only, it is a good idea to bring proof of residency.

Here is a list of cities that recycle Christmas trees:

CEDAR HILL

Through Monday, leave trees in special Dumpster behind the Senior Center, 1740 Mansfield Road, or at the south end of Clark Road across from Dot Thomas Park.Trees will be mulched and used in city landscaping.

COLLEYVILLE

Trees are collected on the normal trash collection day at curbside for recycling.

COPPELL

DALLAS

Drop off trees at five locations through Jan. 11 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; free mulch at the Bachman and McCommas Bluff locations after Jan. 1. For more information, call 311. Recycling locations:

•Northwest (Bachman) Transfer Station, 9500 Harry Hines Blvd. (Monday-Sunday)

•Southwest Transfer Station, 4610 S. Westmoreland Road (Monday-Sunday)

•McCommas Bluff Landfill, 5100 Youngblood Road (Monday-Saturday)

•Fair Oaks Transfer Station, 7677 Fair Oaks Ave. (Monday-Sunday)

•Flag Pole Hill, Buckner Boulevard at Northwest Highway (Monday-Sunday)

DESOTO

Trees will be collected from front curb Jan. 3 for recycling. Call 972-274-2489 for information.

DUNCANVILLE

Drop off trees by Jan. 11 at Duncanville Service Center, 330 Shady Trail. For information, call 972-780-4900.

EULESS

Euless throws a party for recyclers. On Jan. 12 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., bring live Christmas trees to Midway Park, 300 Midway Drive. Residents can bring a bag to fill with mulch, and there will be a tree-mulching demonstration. Residents don't have to wait until Jan. 12 to recycle trees. They can bring them to the park any time through Jan. 12. For information, call 817-685-1650.

FARMERS BRANCH

Drop off trees through Monday and Jan. 4-6 at the Valley View Citizens Collection Center, 1399 Valley View Lane. Free mulch will be available Jan. 5-6 at the site. Call 972-919-2597.

FRISCO

GRAND PRAIRIE

•Near the parks department maintenance facility, Southeast 14th Street and Densman

•Home Depot, 5850 Carrier Parkway

•Home Depot lot, 5280 State Highway 360

•City landfill, 1102 MacArthur Blvd.

IRVING

Drop off trees at four sites through Jan. 13 anytime, except at the landfill location, from 7 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. (closed New Year's Day). Trees left at curbside on the regular weekly brush/bulky trash day will be recycled. For information, call 972-721-8059. Drop-off locations:

•Cottonwood Park, 4051 N. Story Road

•Southwest Park, 2800 Shady Grove Road

•Recycling Center, across from Stein Mart (northeast corner of MacArthur and Las Colinas boulevards, next to Irving's Drop-Off Recycling Center

•Irving landfill, 220 W. Hunter Ferrell Road

PLANO

•Carpenter Recreation Center, 6701 Coit Road (north of Spring Creek Parkway and south of Legacy Drive, in the far west parking lot)

•High Point Park, 6500 Alma Drive, (north of Spring Creek and south of Seabrook Drive)

•Heritage Yards Ball Fields, 4525 Hedgcoxe Road (east of Coit Road and west of Ohio Drive); open 24 hours

RICHARDSON

ROWLETT

Rowlett residents with proof of residency may drop off trees from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Jan. 12 or 1 to 6 p.m. Jan. 13 at the northeast corner of Kirby and Miller Heights roads.

Staff writer Elizabeth Langton contributed to this report.