How to get rid of your Christmas tree, and support Salem, Keizer groups

Tracy Loew, Salem Statesman Journal
·3 min read
Caden Hamilton, left, and Khainoa Holland haul a tree for a Scouts Troop 121 fundraiser at US Bank in Keizer on Jan. 1, 2022.
Caden Hamilton, left, and Khainoa Holland haul a tree for a Scouts Troop 121 fundraiser at US Bank in Keizer on Jan. 1, 2022.

As holiday celebrations wind down and decorations go back into storage, the only thing left is to take out the tree.

There are options, of course. You can remove all the ribbons, lights and ornaments and cut it up for the green yard debris bin.

You also could rent a chipper and put the material in your garden compost. Or you can take it for recycling at the Salem-Keizer Recycling & Transfer Station.

If all that sounds like too much work there are several groups ready to take the tree in exchange for some help raising funds. Some groups take the trees to Marion County's compostable yard waste facility, or other recyclers, where they are turned into mulch. Others chip them themselves and use the chips.

Here is a list of groups in the Salem area that will take your tree, either from your home or at a drop-off site.

Dallas

At-home pick-up

Details: Troop 38 will pick up and recycle trees in the Dallas area Jan. 7.

Contact: email T38TREES@YAHOO.COM or call 971-612-0085

Independence/Monmouth

At-home pick-up

Details: Troop 38 will pick up and recycle trees in the Independence and Monmouth areas on Jan. 7, Jan. 8, Jan. 14 and Jan. 15.

Contact: email T38TREES@YAHOO.COM or call 971-612-0085

KEIZER

Willamette Valley Bank

Where: 5140 River Road N

Hours: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 7-8.

Suggested donation: $5 to $10 for drop off, or $15 for curbside pickup in Salem or Keizer by appointment, proceeds go to Boy Scout Troop 121; flocked trees not accepted.

Contact: : 503-877-4285, keizertroop121.com or keizertroop121@gmail.com

EAST SALEM

Salem-Keizer Recycling & Transfer Station

Where: 3250 Deer Park Drive

Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Dec. 26 to Jan. 31.

Cost: $3 per tree, for up to five trees. Must be decoration free with no flocking.

Contact: 503-588-5169

NORTH SALEM

Highway Fuel

Where: 6242 Portland Road NE

Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays.

Cost: $3 per tree; drop off only.

Contact: 503-363-6444

SOUTH SALEM

Bethany Baptist Church

Where: 1150 Hilfiker Lane SE

Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Jan. 7; and 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Jan. 8.

Suggested donation: $10; proceeds go to BSA Scout Troop 19.

Contact: Schedule a pickup for South Salem address only (97302 & 97306), send an email to troop19treerecycling@gmail.com with name, address, phone number, pickup date and payment method; or call 541-264-1375.

South Salem Walmart

Where: 5250 Commercial St. SE

Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Jan. 7-8.

Suggested donation: $10; proceeds go to BSA Scout Troop 19.

Contact: Schedule a pickup for South Salem address only (97302 & 97306), send an email to troop19treerecycling@gmail.com with name, address, phone number, pickup date and payment method; or call 541-264-1375.

US Bank on Cunningham

Where: Near the US Bank building at 798 Cunningham Lane S.

Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30: p.m. Jan. 7-8.

Suggested donation: $10; proceeds go to BSA Scout Troop 108.

US Bank on Commercial

Where: US Bank building at 3485 Commercial St. SE.

Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30: p.m. Jan. 7-8.

Suggested donation: $10; proceeds go to BSA Scout Troop 108.

Did we miss your tree drop off event? Send an email to newsroom@statesmanjournal.com with details and we will add it to the list.

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Get rid of your Christmas tree, support Salem, Keizer groups