The "Naked Tree" Checklist
Before dropping your tree off, it must be completely "naked" so it can be safely processed into mulch:
Remove all decorations: Lights, tinsel, ornaments, and wire hooks.
Remove hardware: Take off wooden, metal, or plastic stands.
No bags: Remove the tree from any plastic transport bags at the site.
Natural only: Artificial trees cannot be recycled in these programs.
Regional Recycling Directory
Buncombe County: * Asheville City: Curbside pickup on your scheduled yard waste week.
Countywide: Drop off at the Buncombe County Landfill (85 Panther Branch Rd, Alexander).
Henderson County: * Jackson Park: Drop off at Ball Field #6 (801 Glover St).
Free Mulch Day: Scheduled for Jan 10, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Haywood County: * Accepted at the White Oak Landfill and all high-unit convenience centers (Waynesville, Canton, Clyde).
Madison County: * Accepted at the Madison County Landfill (Alexander) and most residential convenience sites.
Transylvania County: * Drop off at the Transylvania County Landfill/Transfer Station on Public Works Rd.
Jackson County: * Take to the Stafford St. Recycling Center (Sylva) or the main landfill on Deposit Ln.
Macon County: * Accepted at the Franklin Recycling Center (Sanderstown Rd) and the Macon County Landfill.
Watauga County: * Drop off at the Watauga County Landfill (Boone). Many local farms also accept trees for livestock.
Polk County: * Accepted at the Polk County Transfer Station in Mill Spring.
McDowell & Rutherford Counties: * Drop off at your respective county landfills or designated convenience centers.
Backyard Upcycling Tips
Wildlife Cover: Prop the tree in your yard to provide a winter windbreak for songbirds.
Garden Mulch: Cut branches and lay them over perennial beds to protect roots from the "freeze-thaw" cycle.
Fish Habitat: Sink weighted trees into private ponds to create nurseries for small fish.
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