With Christmas over and New Year’s Day right around the corner, the “evergreen” trees still occupying many local living rooms are left pining for better, fresher days.

Beginning Monday, city residents can rid themselves of the vestiges of the holiday season, as the Department of Public Services offers its annual Christmas tree recycling program. From next week through the rest of January, DPS crews will pick up natural Christmas trees from homes within city limits, taking the foliage to the local compost site for recycling.

Similar to the fall leaf cleanup program or spring household cleanup program, city residents simply need to leave their old Christmas tree curbside. During the month, crews will make sweeps throughout neighborhoods, picking up any discarded trees for recycling.

People are asked to follow these guidelines to ensure safe pick up of their trees:

• Remove all tinsel, ornaments, hooks and other decorations from the tree.

• Remove any nails, tree stands or other metal.

• Remove any plastic or plastic bags around the tree. Do not bag the tree.

• Place the tree behind the curb at the edge of the street, with the cut end (stump) facing the direction of traffic.

Residents do not need to call ahead for pickup.

Disposing of old Christmas trees does not just clear up room in the home. It can also prevent house fires, as dried-up trees can pose a serious fire hazard.

“It is a big safety issue,” said Robert Nelson, a spokesperson with the Dowagiac Fire Department. “Do not allow family tradition, such as always keeping the tree up until after New Year’s, to dictate when you should get rid of it. Sometimes that extra week is a little too long to keep it safely in the house.”

Old, dried up Christmas trees are at risk of being set on fire, usually by lights that get overheated, Nelson said. Although newer LED light bulbs pose less of a risk, there is always the possibility of a short circuit or some other electrical problem sparking a fire, he added.

Trees that receive regular watering throughout December usually begin to show signs of drying up after a month. Heavy needle falling is a good indicator that it is time to dispose of an old tree, Nelson said.

The firefighter encouraged residents to take advantage of the tree recycling program next month.

“I have lived at my house in the city for 31 years, and it has always been a good program I have used,” Nelson said.

People who do not use the service in January can schedule to have DPS crews pick up their old tree by calling 782-8200 or emailing DPS_Service_Request@dowagiac.org.