About That Christmas Tree: Collection & Recycling Options Across South Wake (NC) County
Recycle your live tree curbside or at Wake County parks from Dec 26–Jan 31. Remove all decorations to help create mulch for local trails in Apex, Holly Springs, and Fuquay-Varina.
Holly Springs, NC, Dec. 26, 2025 — Residents in Apex, Holly Springs, and Fuquay-Varina have several free, eco-friendly options to dispose of live Christmas trees this season. Whether using curbside pickup or the Wake County “Happy Trails” recycling program, local officials encourage residents to recycle trees into mulch for community park trails.
Preparation Checklist
To ensure your tree qualifies for recycling, please remove all non-organic materials. Recycling centers and curbside crews cannot accept “flocked” (artificial snow) trees:
Remove all lights, ornaments, tinsel, and garland.
Remove tree stands, nails, and metal wire.
Do not place the tree in a plastic bag.
Town-Specific Curbside Options
Apex
How: Place your undecorated tree at the curb on your regular yard waste collection day.
Timing: Collection follows regular routes. Note that during the week of New Year’s, customer collections on Thursday and Friday will be delayed by one day.
Holly Springs
How: Pickup follows the town’s yard waste zone schedule (Zones A, B, C, or D).
Timing: Collection will take place between January 5 and January 29, 2026.
Note: Pickup will be delayed by one day during the week of January 19 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Fuquay-Varina
How: Trees are collected curbside at no charge.
Timing: Collection runs from December 26, 2025, through January 31, 2026.
Alternative: Residents can also drop trees off at the Action Park Convenience Center (609 Wake Chapel Road).
Wake County “Happy Trails” Drop-Off Sites
Available to all residents from December 26 through January 31. All sites are closed on New Year’s Day.
Wake County Convenience Centers (7:00 AM - 7:00 PM)
Apex: 6120 Old Smithfield Road
Garner: 10505 Old Stage Road
Raleigh: 3600 Yates Mill Pond Road
Wendell: 5051 Wendell Boulevard
Wake County Parks (8:00 AM - Sunset)
New Hill: Harris Lake County Park — 2112 County Park Drive
Willow Spring: Beech Bluff County Park — 3321 NC Highway 42
Raleigh: Blue Jay Point County Park — 3200 Pleasant Union Church Road
Raleigh: Green Hills County Park — 9300 Deponie Drive
Morrisville: Lake Crabtree County Park — 1400 Aviation Parkway