DOWAGIAC — The Dowagiac Department of Public Services will continue free pick-up and recycling of natural Christmas trees through the end of the month.

Before trees are set out for pickup, residents are asked to:

• Remove all tinsel, ornaments, hooks and other decorations

• Remove any nails, tree stands or other metal

• Remove any plastic or other materials and do not bag the tree

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

All discarded trees will be chipped and recycled as natural compost. The trees are not taken to a landfill, and thus should not be set out for removal for refuse haulers.