Christmas tree pickup in Orange County, California: 2026-27 by city
Updated . By Landen Chu, Co-founder of OakTend. How we research
This guide is for Orange County, California homeowners, with a row for every city. This is general information, not official guidance; your city and its trash hauler have the final word.
When is Christmas tree pickup in Orange County?
It depends on your city and its hauler. Most take trees on your regular collection day, often with a separate truck. Buena Park and Laguna Niguel say two weeks. Irvine, Los Alamitos, Laguna Beach and Laguna Hills say three. Aliso Viejo, Cypress and La Habra run through the third Saturday in January, and Westminster picks up in the first two weeks of January.
Don't assume the window starts on December 26. Last season, Republic Services took trees in Huntington Beach, Fountain Valley and Seal Beach during one week in January. Check your city's row before the tree goes out.
How do I get the tree ready?
Haulers want a bare tree so it can be recycled:
- Take off lights, ornaments, tinsel and garland.
- Remove the stand, metal or plastic, and any nails or wire.
- Skip bags. Costa Mesa and Laguna Niguel say no plastic bags.
- Cut a tree over 6 feet in half, as most cities ask. Irvine's page says over 4 feet, and Anaheim asks for 4-foot lengths.
- Set it next to your carts, not on top of them or in front. Several Republic Services cities want it out by 7 a.m.
Christmas tree pickup by city
Each row comes from the city's own page or its hauler's, and we only show dates a page gives.
| City | Pickup | Getting the tree ready | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aliso Viejo | Pickup: Every year: Through the third Saturday in January, at the curb on your usual trash day, at no extra cost. CR&R: (877) 728-0446. | Getting the tree ready: Cut it in half unless it is under 6 feet; remove ornaments, lights and the stand. | Source: Aliso Viejo's utilities directoryChecked October 24, 2026 |
| Anaheim | Pickup: Dates not posted yet; check with Republic Services, (714) 238-2444, or the source page. | Getting the tree ready: From an older notice: Remove ornaments, tinsel, garland and the stand; cut it into 4-foot lengths; set it next to, not in front of, your carts. | Source: Anaheim's tree pickup pageChecked October 24, 2026 |
| Brea | Pickup: This season: December 26, 2026 to January 16, 2027, at the curb on your regular service day. Republic Services: (714) 238-2444. | Getting the tree ready: Remove lights, ornaments, tinsel, garlands and the stand; cut it in half if over 6 feet. Flocked and artificial trees go in the trash cart or a bulky item pickup. | Source: Brea's Winter Recycling Guide (PDF)Checked October 24, 2026 |
| Buena Park | Pickup: Every year: Two weeks starting December 26, at the curb on your normal service day. | Getting the tree ready: Remove nails, the stand and decorations; cut it in half if over 6 feet; set it next to your green waste cart. Flocked trees can't go in the green waste cart. | Source: Buena Park's holiday schedule pageChecked October 24, 2026 |
| Costa Mesa | Pickup: This season: January 4 to 15, 2027, on your weekly trash day. CR&R (Costa Mesa Sanitary District): (949) 646-4617. | Getting the tree ready: Completely bare: remove ornaments, lights, tinsel and the stand; no plastic bags; cut it in half if over 6 feet. Flocked trees go in the black-lid landfill cart. | Source: Costa Mesa Sanitary District tree pageChecked October 24, 2026 |
| Cypress | Pickup: Every year: December 26 through the third Saturday in January. Valley Vista Services: (714) 380-5450. | Getting the tree ready: Not stated on the page. | Source: Cypress trash and recycling pageChecked October 24, 2026 |
| Dana Point | Pickup: Dates not posted yet; check with CR&R or the source page. | Getting the tree ready: Not stated on the page. | Source: CR&R's Dana Point pageChecked October 24, 2026 |
| Fountain Valley | Pickup: Dates not posted yet; check with Republic Services, (714) 847-3581, or the source page. | Getting the tree ready: From an older notice: Remove lights, tinsel, garland, decorations and the stand; cut trees over 6 feet in half; set it next to your carts before 7 a.m. No flocked or artificial trees.Drop-off: Last season the Recreation Center (16400 Brookhurst St) and Republic's Huntington Beach yard took trees. 2026-27 sites not posted yet. | Source: Republic's 2025-26 tree flyer (PDF)Checked October 24, 2026 |
| Fullerton | Pickup: Dates not posted yet; check with Republic Services or the source page. | Getting the tree ready: From an older notice: Trees under 6 feet, left next to your carts. | Source: Fullerton's holiday noticeChecked October 24, 2026 |
| Garden Grove | Pickup: Dates not posted yet; check with Republic Services, (714) 238-3300, or the source page. | Getting the tree ready: From an older notice: Out by 7 a.m. on trash day. Artificial and flocked trees go in the trash cart or a bulky item pickup. | Source: Garden Grove's holiday noticeChecked October 24, 2026 |
| Huntington Beach | Pickup: Dates not posted yet; check with Republic Services, (714) 847-3581, or the source page. | Getting the tree ready: From an older notice: No decorations, metal or stand; cut trees over 6 feet in half; at the curb before 7 a.m. on trash day. No flocked or artificial trees.Drop-off: Last season Republic's yard at 17121 Nichols Lane and city sites took trees. 2026-27 sites not posted yet. | Source: Huntington Beach tree notice and Republic's 2025-26 tree flyer (PDF)Checked October 24, 2026 |
| Irvine | Pickup: Every year: Three weeks after Christmas, at the curb on your regular collection day. | Getting the tree ready: Cut trees taller than 4 feet in half; remove tinsel, lights, ornaments and the stand. Flocked trees are collected but not recycled.Drop-off: The city's page lists Sunset Environmental, 16122 Construction Circle West, Irvine. | Source: Irvine's tree recycling pageChecked October 24, 2026 |
| La Habra | Pickup: Every year: From the first collection day after December 25 until 5 p.m. on the third Saturday in January. | Getting the tree ready: Cut it in half if over 6 feet; remove tinsel, lights, ornaments and the stand. Flocked and fake trees are collected but landfilled. | Source: La Habra's tree recycling pageChecked October 24, 2026 |
| La Palma | Pickup: Dates not posted yet; check with EDCO (Park Disposal), (714) 522-3577, or the source page. | Getting the tree ready: Not stated on the page. | Source: EDCO's La Palma pageChecked October 24, 2026 |
| Laguna Beach | Pickup: Every year: A three-week period starting December 26, in or next to your organics cart. The recycling page says it runs to January 16 and the city FAQ says January 15, so check with CR&R. The city says more details come closer to December. CR&R: (949) 662-3819. | Getting the tree ready: Not stated on the page. | Source: Laguna Beach recycling pageChecked October 24, 2026 |
| Laguna Hills | Pickup: Every year: The yearly three-week period after Christmas, at the curb on your regular pickup day. CR&R: (949) 849-5771. | Getting the tree ready: Remove decorations, lights and the stand. | Source: Laguna Hills December 2025 newsletter (PDF) and Laguna Hills trash pageChecked October 24, 2026 |
| Laguna Niguel | Pickup: Every year: Two weeks after the holidays, in the green waste cart or beside your carts. CR&R: (877) 728-0446. | Getting the tree ready: Remove ornaments, tinsel, lights and the stand; no plastic bags; cut it in half if 6 feet or taller. | Source: Laguna Niguel trash pageChecked October 24, 2026 |
| Laguna Woods | Pickup: Dates not posted yet; check with CR&R or the source page. | Getting the tree ready: Not stated on the page. | Source: CR&R's Laguna Woods pageChecked October 24, 2026 |
| Lake Forest | Pickup: Dates not posted yet; check with CR&R or the source page. | Getting the tree ready: From an older notice: Trees under 6 feet in the organics cart; taller trees at the curb on your regular day; remove lights, ornaments, tinsel and decorations. | Source: Lake Forest holiday greenery noticeChecked October 24, 2026 |
| Los Alamitos | Pickup: Every year: Three weeks after Christmas Day. Universal Waste Systems: (562) 941-4900. | Getting the tree ready: Not stated on the page. | Source: Los Alamitos trash pageChecked October 24, 2026 |
| Mission Viejo | Pickup: This season: December 26, 2026 to January 16, 2027, at the curb on your regular service day. | Getting the tree ready: Cut it in half if over 6 feet; remove decorations, lights, tinsel and the stand. Flocked trees are taken separately and not recycled.Drop-off: Free bins at the Animal Services Center (28095 Hillcrest), Marty Russo Youth Athletic Park (22056 Olympiad Rd) and Gilleran Park (24960 Felipe Rd). | Source: WM's Mission Viejo Fall 2026 newsletter (PDF)Checked October 24, 2026 |
| Newport Beach | Pickup: Dates not posted yet; check with CR&R or the source page. | Getting the tree ready: From an older notice: Remove lights, tinsel, ornaments and the stand; 6 feet or less; next to your carts or in the organics cart. Flocked trees go in the trash cart or a bulky item pickup. | Source: Newport Beach holiday noticeChecked October 24, 2026 |
| Orange | Pickup: Dates not posted yet; check with the City of Orange or the source page. | Getting the tree ready: Not stated on the page. | Source: Orange's trash and recycling pageChecked October 24, 2026 |
| Placentia | Pickup: Dates not posted yet; check with Republic Services, (714) 238-3300, or the source page. | Getting the tree ready: From an older notice: Remove lights, ornaments, tinsel, garlands and the stand; cut it in half if over 6 feet. Flocked and artificial trees are not recyclable. | Source: Placentia's tree noticeChecked October 24, 2026 |
| Rancho Santa Margarita | Pickup: Dates not posted yet; check with CR&R or the source page. | Getting the tree ready: From an older notice: Under 6 feet in the green organics cart; taller trees cut in half at the curb; remove lights, ornaments and tinsel. Flocked trees are not compostable. | Source: Rancho Santa Margarita tree noticeChecked October 24, 2026 |
| San Clemente | Pickup: Dates not posted yet; check with CR&R, (877) 728-0446, or the source page. | Getting the tree ready: Not stated on the page. | Source: San Clemente trash pageChecked October 24, 2026 |
| San Juan Capistrano | Pickup: Dates not posted yet; check with CR&R, (877) 728-0446, or the source page. | Getting the tree ready: Not stated on the page. | Source: San Juan Capistrano solid waste pageChecked October 24, 2026 |
| Santa Ana | Pickup: Dates not posted yet; check with Republic Services, (657) 467-6220, or the source page. A separate truck takes trees on your regular collection day; set it out no earlier than noon the day before. | Getting the tree ready: Bare: remove decorations, nails, wire, lights, tinsel and the stand; cut it in half if over 6 feet. After pickup ends, cut it up for the green cart. | Source: Santa Ana's tree pickup pageChecked October 24, 2026 |
| Seal Beach | Pickup: Dates not posted yet; check with Republic Services, (714) 847-3581, or the source page. Leisure World is served by Athens Services, (888) 336-6100. | Getting the tree ready: From an older notice: Remove lights, tinsel, garland, decorations and the stand; cut trees over 6 feet in half; set it next to your carts before 7 a.m. No flocked or artificial trees.Drop-off: Last season the city yard (1776 Adolfo Lopez Dr) and Republic's Huntington Beach yard took trees. 2026-27 sites not posted yet. | Source: Republic's 2025-26 tree flyer (PDF)Checked October 24, 2026 |
| Stanton | Pickup: Dates not posted yet; check with CR&R, (714) 372-8272, or the source page. | Getting the tree ready: Not stated on the page. | Source: Stanton trash pageChecked October 24, 2026 |
| Tustin | Pickup: Dates not posted yet; check with CR&R, (714) 372-8272, or the source page. | Getting the tree ready: Not stated on the page. | Source: Tustin collection pageChecked October 24, 2026 |
| Villa Park | Pickup: Dates not posted yet; check with Republic Services, (714) 238-3300, or the source page. | Getting the tree ready: Not stated on the page. | Source: Villa Park waste pageChecked October 24, 2026 |
| Westminster | Pickup: Every year: The first two weeks of January. Call the district if you have an artificial tree. Midway City Sanitary District: (714) 893-3553. | Getting the tree ready: Not stated on the page. | Source: Midway City Sanitary District tree pageChecked October 24, 2026 |
| Yorba Linda | Pickup: Dates not posted yet; check with Republic Services or the source page. | Getting the tree ready: From an older notice: Remove tinsel, lights, ornaments and the stand; cut trees over 6 feet into sections; at the curb by 7 a.m. Flocked and artificial trees go in the black trash bin. | Source: Yorba Linda's tree noticeChecked October 24, 2026 |
| Unincorporated Orange County | Pickup: Every year: The County's rule: haulers take trees on the first two regular collection days after Christmas Day. WM areas (Ladera Ranch, Coto de Caza and others) say three weeks from December 26. Midway City: see Westminster. | Getting the tree ready: From an older notice: WM areas: cut it in half if over 6 feet; remove lights, ornaments, tinsel and the stand. Flocked trees are collected but not recycled. | Source: OC Waste & Recycling: haulers by area and WM's County of Orange newsletter (PDF)Checked October 24, 2026 |
This table was checked on October 24, 2026. If your city has posted its 2026-27 dates, email hello@oaktend.com and we will update the row.
What about flocked or artificial trees?
A flocked tree, one sprayed with fake snow, can't be recycled. Brea and Newport Beach want it in the trash cart or a bulky item pickup; Costa Mesa and Yorba Linda say the trash cart. Mission Viejo, Irvine and La Habra still pick it up. Artificial trees go in the trash too, cut to fit with the lid closed, or as a bulky item.
Can I drop off my tree or put it in the green cart?
Yes, you can in many cities. Cut into pieces, a tree can go in your green waste or organics cart as long as the lid closes. Santa Ana, Buena Park, Anaheim and Costa Mesa say so, and it is the usual answer once the pickup window ends. Anaheim and Yorba Linda also offer a bulky item pickup after the window.
For drop-off, Mission Viejo has free bins at three locations for 2026-27, and Irvine's page lists Sunset Environmental. Republic Services' drop-off sites from last season are not posted for 2026-27 yet.
How do I keep the tree from becoming a fire risk?
- Water it every day. The U.S. Fire Administration says a dry Christmas tree can burn very hot and very fast.
- Get it out once it dries. NFPA says to get rid of the tree after Christmas or when it is dry, and not to leave a dried-out tree in the home or garage or outside against the house.
- Don't burn it in the fireplace. Dry needles flare up fast. And from November through February, South Coast AQMD can call a no-burn day, when burning wood in a fireplace is banned for 24 hours. The homeowner deadlines sheet has the season dates.
City pages: Brea, Costa Mesa, Mission Viejo, Irvine and Anaheim, or every city on the Orange County hub.
Sources
- U.S. Fire Administration: holiday fire safety
Water your Christmas tree every day; a dry Christmas tree can burn very hot and very fast; get rid of your tree after Christmas or when it is dry. - NFPA: Christmas tree safety tip sheet (PDF)
Get rid of the tree after Christmas or when it is dry; dried-out trees are a fire danger and should not be left in the home or garage, or placed outside against the home. - South Coast AQMD: Check Before You Burn
From November through the end of February, a No-Burn day is a 24-hour ban on wood burning in residential fireplaces, stoves or outdoor fire pits. - OC Waste & Recycling: unincorporated communities and haulers
Haulers will collect all Christmas trees on the first two regularly scheduled collection days after Christmas Day, free of any additional charge; the page lists which hauler serves each unincorporated area. - City of Brea: Winter Recycling Guide (PDF)
Real holiday trees will be accepted curbside from December 26, 2026, through January 16, 2027 on your regular service day; remove lights, ornaments, tinsel, garlands and the stand; cut in half if over 6 feet; flocked and artificial trees go in the black trash cart or a bulky item pickup. - Costa Mesa Sanitary District: Christmas tree collection
Christmas tree collection will occur from January 4-15, 2027, on your weekly trash collection day; trees must be completely bare, not bagged, and cut in half if taller than 6 feet; flocked trees go in the black-lid landfill cart. - WM: City of Mission Viejo residential newsletter, Fall 2026 (PDF)
Holiday Tree Recycling Period: December 26, 2026, through January 16, 2027, at the curb on your regular service day; cut trees taller than 6 feet in half; flocked trees are collected separately and cannot be recycled; free drop-off bins at three Mission Viejo locations.