For many people, the holidays aren’t complete without a fresh-cut Christmas tree. These holiday trees can fill a rental home with the aroma and beauty of the outdoors. Its very smell brings back the good memories of holidays past. And when it’s decorated with lights and ornaments, it becomes one of the iconic symbols of Christmas. However, when the holidays are over, it becomes a bit of a hassle. A lot of Tampa tenants would have to face the question of how to properly dispose of their tree. Dry pine needles are a fire hazard, so, after you’ve kept the ornaments and other decorations, the next thing you need to do is to remove your Christmas tree from the property. The complication here is that most dumpsters and general trash pick-ups won’t accept Christmas trees, so disposing of it may not be as easy as simply tossing it out. Below, we’ll discuss some safe and legal ways renters can properly dispose of their Christmas trees.
The first thing you can do to dispose of a Christmas tree is to check your city’s website or the website of your local waste removal company. These days, cities and towns have their own websites that contain helpful information for residents. With the holiday season upon us, they usually update their sites to include information on specific, city-run programs designed for Christmas tree removal. It’s the same for local waste removal companies. Some places show you local drop-off locations while others show you how to avail of curbside pickup or even how to have them shred your tree for mulch. It varies from place to place.
If the town provides drop-off locations, then you may have one of the most convenient ways to remove your tree from the property. To find a good location for you, all you have to do is a quick internet search. When you’ve determined the location, you can take the tree there. And if you’re considering doing it yourself, use a tree bag to protect your walls and floors from scratches and to keep dead pine needles from making a mess.
Also, check your local yard waste removal company. Some of them can pick up your tree or even turn it into mulch right outside your home. You may need to make a special request on or before a specific date to be able to benefit from these services. Some may also cost you a little extra on your trash removal bill that month. If either of these two choices is available, don’t forget to gather all the information you can, including any related fees, before scheduling the service.
If you choose not to avail of the services provided by the city or by the local waste removal company, or if they do not offer those services, it’s not a problem. There are several other ways to dispose of a Christmas tree. One option is to hire someone to chop your tree up into firewood. You can also look for an organization that accepts donated Christmas trees for use in environmental recovery projects. This is a good option as many of these projects help reduce beach erosion or create habitats for wildlife using donated trees.
One alternative that you should never consider is to burn your Christmas tree on the property. It’s only a good option if you have a wood-burning fireplace and if your tree is cut into firewood. Otherwise, it’s a really bad idea to light a dry pine tree on fire. It’s very risky and you may injure yourself or even damage or destroy your Tampa rental property— and all your personal belongings with it.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that it takes less than 60 seconds for a Christmas tree fire to set an entire house ablaze. Even if you do manage to successfully burn your tree without taking down the house, there’s a good chance that the flames damaged the yard or other parts of the property. This could result in you having to, at a minimum, deal with fines or the loss of your security deposit.
The proper disposal of your Christmas tree should never be taken lightly. It is a serious matter. By gathering the right information, you can select the best option— one that does the job and also keeps you and your rental home safe.
At Real Property Management TradeWinds, we understand that your life is busy and you have a lot of important commitments with both your professional and personal life, so staying on top of everything is just not possible. Our team of Tampa property managers is ready to take that weight off your shoulders. We take care of all tenant communication, including educating them on important aspects like Christmas tree removal. Contact us or call us at 727-400-4722 today.
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