For many families, bringing a real Christmas tree into the home remains a cherished part of the holiday season. This tradition has deep roots: early peoples used evergreens during Winter Solstice rites to symbolize protection and the return of life in spring; Romans used evergreens in Saturnalia celebrations; and in the Middle Ages, Christians in Germany hung evergreens in the Adam and Eve play to represent Eden. Each year, whether purchased from a lot or harvested from the forest, choosing a healthy, appropriately sized tree, caring for it properly, and disposing of it responsibly enhances both enjoyment and safety. 

Safety context and fire risk

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) stresses that dry, neglected Christmas trees can pose a significant hazard if not properly cared for. According to NFPA’s analysis of 2005 to 2009 data, U.S. fire departments responded to an annual estimated average of 240 house fires that began with Christmas trees. These fires resulted in an average of 13 civilian deaths, 27 injuries, and $16.7 million in direct property damage every year. Which is why proper Christmas tree selection, care, and disposal are crucial. 

These statistics highlight the importance of specific, preventive actions homeowners can take to reduce fire risk. NFPA guidance recommends keeping Christmas trees and other decorations well away from heat sources, including fireplaces, space heaters, heat vents, and candles, and ensuring trees are consistently watered to prevent drying. More than one-third of home decoration fires are started by candles, and about half occur when decorations are placed too close to a heat source. To prevent this from happening to you, use these fire safety best practices: blow out candles when leaving a room or going to bed, turn off all decorative lights before leaving the house or sleeping, and replace any light strings with worn cords or loose bulb connections. Ensure to use clips rather than nails to hang lights to avoid damaging the cords, and follow manufacturer guidance on indoor versus outdoor decorations to further reduce electrical hazards.

Safe disposal after the holidays

After the holiday season, proper disposal of a Christmas tree is an important step in protecting both community safety and environmental quality. Many municipalities across Nevada offer curbside collection or designated drop-off locations where trees are recycled through chipping programs, helping divert trees from landfills and reducing fire hazards associated with dry, stored trees.  For example, in Carson City, Waste Management typically offers post-holiday Christmas tree pickup as part of its yard-waste service. Make sure the trees are free of decorations, nails, stands, and flocking, and are recycled into mulch or compost. Carson City residents can take advantage of post-holiday Christmas tree recycling services provided by Waste Management (WM). Christmas tree pickup will be available from December 26, 2025, through January 17, 2026. To ensure timely and efficient collection, residents are encouraged to confirm their neighborhood’s designated start date and review pickup requirements in advance. Trees should be properly prepared according to service guidelines before being set out for collection. In addition to Carson City, Waste Management (WM) will offer Christmas tree pickup services from December 26, 2025, through January 30, 2026, in several other Nevada communities, including Fernley, Incline Village, Lyon County, Sparks, Storey County, Reno, and Washoe County. Residents are encouraged to visit WM Nevada Service Areas to review pickup guidelines and confirm service details specific to their community.

Additionally, for areas around Reno, the annual Christmas tree recycling program sponsored by Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful (KTMB) in partnership with other public and private organizations will pick up Christmas trees from December 26, 2025, through January 11, 2026, daily from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This program provides residents with a convenient and environmentally responsible option for disposing of natural Christmas trees, ensuring they are recycled rather than sent to landfills or illegally dumped in open spaces. 

While the Southern Nevada Christmas Tree Recycling Committee, a partnership of local businesses and community agencies, coordinates a free Christmas tree recycling program that normally runs from December 26 through January 15, offering more than 30 convenient drop-off locations. For additional Christmas tree recycling opportunities across Nevada, please visit: https://ndep.nv.gov/nevada-recycles/events/free-christmas-tree-recycling-opportunities-available-throughout-nevada. 

In addition to recycling, Christmas trees can be repurposed at home by chipping them for mulch or placing them outdoors as temporary shelter for birds and other wildlife. However, feeding discarded Christmas trees to livestock should be approached with caution. While goats and sheep may tolerate pine needles, cattle should not be fed pine needles, as consumption over several days, particularly from species such as ponderosa pine, has been associated with abortion risk in cattle. Producers considering alternative uses of trees should consult Extension guidance before doing so. You may also consider offering your discarded tree to a neighbor who keeps goats, since goats readily browse on pine needles and can benefit from them as a seasonal treat.

To ensure your cut Christmas tree remains fresh and safe throughout the holiday season, follow the research-based recommendations outlined in ‘Caring for Your Cut Christmas Tree’. This resource presents 15 practical tips covering proper watering, placement, and fire-risk reduction. Another excellent article, ‘When Was Your Tree Cut?’, provides additional guidelines on how to keep your tree fresh and fire safety tips.  

We encourage you to use designated recycling or disposal programs, as Nevada Revised Statute (NRS) 444.630 prohibits the illegal dumping of solid waste, including Christmas trees and other yard debris, at any location other than an approved disposal or recycling facility, with violations subject to criminal and civil penalties, fines, community service, and potential business license revocation.

The University of Nevada, Reno Extension wishes you a safe, enjoyable, and healthy holiday season.

References

1. Nevada Division of Environmental Protection. (n.d.). Illegal dumping. Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
2. Ahrens, M. (2011, November). Home Christmas tree and holiday light fires. National Fire Protection Association.
3. Travers, P. (2016, December 18). The Christmas tree: From pagan origins and Christian symbolism to secular status. ABC Radio Canberra.
4. Campbell, R. (2022, December). Christmas tree fires. National Fire Protection Association.
5. Stone, M. (2024, December 19). The origin of Christmas trees in German paradise plays.
6. Feather, S., Bates, R., & Cotrone, V. (2025, September 26). Tips for selection and care of cut Christmas trees. Penn State Extension, Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences.