Tree disposal options in Prairie Village, Fairway and Mission Hills

The tree recycling areas at Prairie Village parks are marked with these yellow signs.

The packages underneath it have been unwrapped. The needles are starting to dry out and fall quickly.

Christmas is over, and that means it’s time to start thinking about taking down the Christmas tree.

Both Town & Country Disposal and Deffenbaugh Industries, the two waste removal companies serving the area, will take trees free of charge during normally scheduled pickups for the next couple weeks. Deffenbaugh requires that trees be cut into sections no longer than four feet in order for them to be picked up at the curb. Town & Country asks that trees be free of tinsel and other decoration.

Prairie Village residents have the option of dropping their trees off for recycling in designated areas at four parks: Franklin, Porter, Meadowlake and Harmon. Trees must be free of all lights, ornaments, stands and any metal, as these items damage the chipping machines. (Also, please note that you are permitted to take the wood chips from the piles in the recycling areas for your own use). The program will run through Jan. 16.

Residents of cities that don’t offer their own tree recycling areas can take advantage of Johnson County’s free tree recycling program. Drop off locations at the Shawnee Mission Park Marina, 7900 Renner Road, the Heritage Park Marina, 16050 Pflumm Road, and the Kill Creek Marina, 11670 South Homestead Lane, will be open 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. through the end of January.