If you have yet to dispose of your Christmas tree, there are options available this weekend.
The Courtenay and Comox fire departments will be hosting their annual charity tree chipping events at their respective stations.
“Tree chipping will happen for us on Jan. 6 and 7, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Courtenay fire hall (650 Cumberland Rd.), as well as the Thrifty Foods on Ryan Road,” said Courtenay Fire Department Capt. Jonathan Welsh. “It’s a minimum $5 donation and you can call the fire department (250-334-2513) to have your tree picked up.
“If you do have it picked up, you just leave a notification where you will be leaving the money, or let us know if you are going to be there to give us the money.”
Donations to the Courtenay Fire Department will be doled out to local charities and sports groups.
“We usually decide throughout the year [which organizations receive funds],” said Welsh. “It’s something we decide upon during society meetings.”
The Comox Fire Rescue tree chipping event runs same dates, same times, at the fire station at 1870 Noel Ave.
Funds raised at the Comox event will go to You Are Not Alone (YANA).
“The people can either drop the tree off here …, or if they can’t get the tree here, we can pick it up for them, for a donation,” said assistant Chief Rick Shelton.
“Whatever people can afford is always appreciated.”
Shelton said the 2017 event raised approximately $3,300.
Should neither event fit your plans, the CVRD will pick up your trees as part of your regular yard waste, in Courtenay and Comox.
“They will accept them as regular yard waste, placed on the curb on regular pick-up days; they just have to be cut in half, or no longer than three-foot lengths,” said Comox Valley Regional District Engineering Services branch assistant Jenna Boguski.