Do you live in Wake County? Here’s a free way to dispose of your Christmas tree.
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Wake County runs Happy Trails program Dec. 26–Jan. 31, 2026 to recycle live trees.
- Residents drop off undecorated trees free at select Solid Waste centers and six parks.
- Since 2012, the program has converted 60,000+ trees into 1,156 tons of mulch.
If you’re a resident of Wake County and have a Christmas tree you need to get rid of, your contribution could help lay down the county’s park trails.
From Dec. 26 to Jan. 31, 2026, Wake County is accepting undecorated, live Christmas trees to recycle as part of its Happy Trails Christmas Tree Recycling Program. The program turns the trees into mulch used to fortify Wake County park trails. Recycling trees is free.
Where can I take my tree?
You can take your trees to select Wake County Solid Waste convenience centers and county parks, except when they’re closed on Jan. 1 for New Year’s Day. The Solid Waste centers are open for tree drop-offs every day from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the following locations:
- Site 1 – 10505 Old Stage Road, Raleigh 27603
- Site 2 – 6120 Old Smithfield Road, Apex 27539
- Site 4 – 3600 Yates Mill Pond Road, Raleigh 27606
- Site 11 – 5051 Wendell Blvd., Wendell 27591
Five parks will take trees every day from 8 a.m. till sunset. They are the following:
- Beech Bluff County Park – 3321 NC-42, Willow Spring 27592
- Blue Jay Point County Park – 3200 Pleasant Union Church Road, Raleigh 27614
- Green Hills County Park – 9300 Deponie Drive, Raleigh 27614
- Harris Lake County Park – 2112 County Park Drive, New Hill 27562
- Lake Crabtree County Park – 1400 Aviation Parkway, Morrisville 27560
Wait, turn the tree into mulch?
The Happy Trails program has recycled over 60,000 trees since 2012 to produce 1,156 tons of mulch, according to Wake County. The 2024-25 campaign saw 3,800 trees turned into 83 tons of mulch.
Mulch from Christmas trees feeds the existing trail bed with more nutrients and protects it from forces that could erode the trail bed, like rainwater and surface runoff, Wake County Park Manager Ben Wittenberg said in a video released by the county. Christmas tree mulch also saves the county from spending money on mulch, county Parks Director Chris Snow said in the video.
“The Happy Trails Program is a win-win for everyone,” Wake County Commissioner Shinica Thomas said in a news release. “Through this program, residents can dispose of their trees for free, reduce landfill waste and help us improve the County’s parks. It’s also a way for residents to give back to the community, either by donating or volunteering.”
This story was originally published December 28, 2025 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Do you live in Wake County? Here’s a free way to dispose of your Christmas tree.."
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