Curbside, drop-off, county sites and hauling: the options and the rules.
In Pinellas County you can set a bare natural tree at the curb on your city's collection day, drop it at a city or county site, or hire a hauler. Every city sets its own rules and changes them each year.
Whichever you choose, the first step is the same: take off every ornament, light, hook, strand of garland and bit of tinsel. Cities and the county will not accept a decorated tree.
Most Pinellas cities collect live trees with yard waste. Set it out loose, not bagged, on your collection day. Clearwater, Largo, Dunedin, Gulfport and Tampa all work this way, with different dates.
The county takes natural trees at its Solid Waste Disposal Complex, the Safety Harbor Yard Waste Transfer and Angelo's Recycled Materials. St. Petersburg runs five brush sites for its residents.
St. Petersburg collects trees by request through the SeeClickFix app or the Sanitation line, (727) 893-7398.
We pick up trees for $75 flat in St. Pete and from $75 elsewhere. The tree must be bare.
Pick your city for its collection details: St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Largo, Pinellas Park, Seminole, Dunedin, Gulfport, Safety Harbor, St. Pete Beach, Tampa, Kenneth City, Treasure Island, Tierra Verde, Palm Harbor, Madeira Beach, South Pasadena, Belleair, Oldsmar.
Not sure which city you are in? Look up your address at pinellas.gov/where.
Take every decoration, light, hook and strand of tinsel off, then either set it at the curb on your city's collection day, drop it at a city or county site, or hire a hauler. Rules vary by city, so look up your address at pinellas.gov/where.
Usually no. Cities ask for trees to go out loose at the curb, not bagged and not in a bin. Artificial trees are different: St. Petersburg, for example, asks residents to put one in the trash bin if it fits with the lid closed.
Yes. Pinellas County residents can drop off natural trees, with decorations removed, at the Pinellas County Solid Waste Disposal Complex, the Safety Harbor Yard Waste Transfer and Angelo's Recycled Materials (GFL Environmental). Fees can apply.
Artificial trees do not go in mulch programs. Put it in the trash if the city allows it, take it to a transfer site, donate it if it is in good shape, or have a hauler take it. We quote artificial trees from a photo.
Curbside Brothers charges $75 flat in St. Petersburg and from $75 elsewhere, $100 with stairs or other factors. The tree must be bare of ornaments and lights.