Wondering what to do with your festive tree after the holidays are over? The City of Sacramento has a few options for recycling your tree.  

The Department of Public Works provides a seasonal leaf season service which gives many residents an easy solution for disposal. Trees can be placed in the organic waste container or piled in the street for pickup by “the Claw,” the City’s special tractor for collecting bulky waste.  

Up to five trees are allowed for pickup. Customers can check the collection calendar to see an estimate of when their leaf pile and trees will be collected. The schedule may change daily for multiple reasons, including the weather and how much material is piled in the streets for collection.  

“If you’re waiting for a pickup or don’t get leaf season service, another option is to break down your tree and prune the branches so it fits in your container,” said Jesa David, spokesperson for the Recycling and Solid  Waste Division.  

Flocked trees are accepted, but any tinsel, plastic, metal, or other decorations must be removed from all trees. Trees and leaf piles should be kept out of storm drains and clear of bike lanes where possible.  

The last day trees or yard waste can be placed out on the street for collection is February 1, 2026. Customers must find a legal method to dispose of their tree as improper disposal of holiday trees on City streets is considered illegal dumping.  

The City and Sacramento County and other neighboring municipalities offer multiple free drop-off events listed below.  

Up to five trees can be recycled for free at the following locations: 

SMUD Corporation Yard 

6100 Folsom Blvd.| 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. 

Saturday, Jan. 3 

North Area Recovery Station 

4450 Roseville Road | 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

Saturday, Jan. 3 & Sunday, Jan. 4 

Kiefer Landfill 

12701 Kiefer Blvd. | 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

Saturday, Jan. 3 & Sunday, Jan. 4 

(from Jackson Highway, north on Grant Line, right on Kiefer) 

Elder Creek Recovery and Transfer 

8642 Elder Creek Road | 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

Saturday, Jan. 3 

(from Jackson Highway, south on Florin Perkins Road, left on Elder Creek) 

Sacramento Recycling & Transfer Station 

8491 Fruitridge Road | 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Saturday, Jan. 3 

Also accepting trees Dec. 26 – Jan. 8, Monday – Saturday | 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

(from Jackson Highway, south on Florin Perkins Road, right on Fruitridge Road) 

Folsom – Dan Russell Rodeo Arena 

Rodeo Park, end of Stafford St. | 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

Saturday, Jan. 3 

More information can be found on the City’s website.