Thanks, and so long: Where to grind your tree

Image by Flickr user connectologist Image by 20081226-christmas-tree.jpg Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, Much pleasure dost thou bring me! And now, You're dead meat!

Christmas has come, and if you bought a chopped-down tree you're likely itching to ditch it.

Charleston County residents who live within a municipality can recycle their trees by leaving them curb-side for yard waste pick-up and they will be composted. You can also take them to Bee's Ferry Landfill -- at 1344 Bee's Ferry Road in West Ashley -- to recycle them. They'll be doing it Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Take your tree from January 3 to 10 and get a free bag of compost. And make sure to remove all tensile and ornaments before dropping them off.

How does the county compost the trees? Here's what they said in an e-mailed press release:
At the Bee's Ferry Landfill, the trees and yard waste are ground up in what is called a tub grinder. The yard waste is then placed in windrows (long piles of ground-up yard waste), where it is watered and turned with a windrow turner. After six months, the yard waste breaks down to a rich, dark soil, called compost.

The compost is screened and ready to be used again as a soil amendment in yards, lawns, gardens, flower beds or potted plants.

But, if you want to get really green, consider buying a living Christmas tree (one that you can replant), and definitely avoid the fake trees.

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