Christmas Tree Recycling in Chicago, IL
Last Season, 2025–26Last checked Oct 14, 2026
27 drop-off sites last season.
Dates from 2025–26: Jan 3, 2026 to Jan 17, 2026. The 2026–27 dates are not posted yet. Official page
27drop-off sites
Nocurbside pickup
Checkwho can use the sites
2025–26season shown
Season Dates
The season shown, on a December to February calendar.
DecJanFeb
Jan 3, 2026 to Jan 17, 2026
Drop-off Sites
| Site | Address | Hours | Directions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bessemer Park | 8930 S. Muskegon Ave., Chicago, IL | Not listed | Directions |
| Clark Park | 3400 N. Rockwell St., Chicago, IL | Not listed | Directions |
| Forestry site Free mulch pickup available here starting Jan 5, 2026 | 900 E. 103rd St., Chicago, IL | Not listed | Directions |
| Garfield Park | 100 N. Central Park Ave., Chicago, IL | Not listed | Directions |
| Grant Park | 900 S. Columbus Dr., Chicago, IL | Not listed | Directions |
| Hiawatha Park | 8029 W. Forest Preserve Dr., Chicago, IL | Not listed | Directions |
| Humboldt Park Boathouse | 1369 N. Sacramento Ave., Chicago, IL | Not listed | Directions |
| Jackson Park | 6300 S. Cornell Ave., Chicago, IL | Not listed | Directions |
| Kelvyn Park | 4438 W. Wrightwood Ave., Chicago, IL | Not listed | Directions |
| Kennedy Park | 2427 W. 113th St., Chicago, IL | Not listed | Directions |
| Lake Meadows Park | 3117 S. Rhodes Ave., Chicago, IL | Not listed | Directions |
| Lincoln Park Free mulch pickup available here starting Jan 5, 2026 | East side of Cannon Drive, north of Fullerton Ave., Chicago, IL | Not listed | Directions |
| Mahalia Jackson Park | 8385 S. Birkhoff Ave., Chicago, IL | Not listed | Directions |
| Margate Park Free mulch pickup available here starting Jan 5, 2026 | 4921 N. Marine Dr., Chicago, IL | Not listed | Directions |
| Marquette Park | 6700 S. Kedzie Ave., Chicago, IL | Not listed | Directions |
| McKinley Park | 2210 W. Pershing Rd., Chicago, IL | Not listed | Directions |
| Mt. Greenwood Park Free mulch pickup available here starting Jan 5, 2026 | 3721 W. 111th St., Chicago, IL | Not listed | Directions |
| North Park Village Free mulch pickup available here starting Jan 5, 2026 | 5801 N. Pulaski Rd., Chicago, IL | Not listed | Directions |
| Norwood Park service yard | 5800 N. Avondale Ave., Chicago, IL | Not listed | Directions |
| Portage Park | 4100 N. Long Ave., Chicago, IL | Not listed | Directions |
| Riis Park | 6201 W. Wrightwood Ave., Chicago, IL | Not listed | Directions |
| Rowan Park | 11546 S. Avenue L., Chicago, IL | Not listed | Directions |
| Sheridan Park | 910 S. Aberdeen St., Chicago, IL | Not listed | Directions |
| Walsh Park | 1722 N. Ashland Ave., Chicago, IL | Not listed | Directions |
| Warren Park Free mulch pickup available here starting Jan 5, 2026 | 6601 N. Western Ave., Chicago, IL | Not listed | Directions |
| Wentworth Park | 5701 S. Narragansett Ave., Chicago, IL | Not listed | Directions |
| West Chatham Park | 8223 S. Princeton Ave., Chicago, IL | Not listed | Directions |
Before You Go
- Real (live) trees only; artificial trees are generally not recyclable.
- Remove all ornaments, lights, tinsel and tree stands.
- Remove any plastic bag used to carry the tree before placing it in the corral.
- Place trees in the designated recycling corral at the site.
Curbside Pickup
The city's page does not list curbside tree pickup for Chicago. No curbside tree collection described in the sources read; program is drop-off only.
Getting Your Tree Ready
We have not found this year's drop-off sites or pickup days for Chicago yet. These steps are common to Christmas tree recycling programs. Take off all lights, tinsel, ornaments and the tree stand. Leave the tree unbagged, because programs that chip trees into mulch generally ask for them loose. Check with Chicago or its county for the dates and places that apply this season, since they change from one year to the next.
What Happens to the Trees
Trees are chipped into mulch for residents, parks and forests; free mulch is offered at six sites.
Sources
- CBS Chicago: Chicago's Christmas tree recycling program kicks off next week (updated Dec 27, 2025) · Retrieved Oct 14, 2026
- WTTW: Chicago Christmas Tree Recycling Locations Open Jan. 3 (Dec 26, 2025) · Retrieved Oct 14, 2026
- City of Chicago: Holiday Tree Recycling (page still showed 2025 season dates Jan 11-25, 2025) · Retrieved Oct 14, 2026