Borough now collecting holiday trees at the curb

By Paul Greulich, Staff Writer
Local families officially said farewell to the holiday season this week with some help from the Public Works Department, which was offering curbside pickup of unwanted Christmas trees.
On Monday the borough’s streets were lined with these needly specimens.
Herman Street resident Paula McLaughlin said her husband was saddened to see their tree out on the curb. “He’s more nostalgic than I am,” she said.
The McLaughlins raised five children in Glen Ridge, all of whom are grown. This year the couple opted for a modest-sized “Charlie Brown” tree.
“We weren’t going to get a Christmas tree this year, but he came home with one anyway,” she said. “We didn’t want to take all the decorations out this year.”
While it may be a little sad to bid farewell to the trees that presided over a family’s holiday celebrations, these symbols of holiday joy can quickly become unwelcome or even hazardous if left in the home too long.
Montclair Fire Official Dave Allin reccomends people dispose of their Christmas trees in a timely manner, as they can pose a fire hazard.
While he has only seen two Christmas tree fires in the last 20 years, residents should bear in mind the pine trees commonly used for Christmas symbols begin drying out the day after they are cut.
“They should check them often and water them daily,” Allin said.
Allin has seen trees begin to lose their branches as soon as three days after being erected.
“A lot of these trees are cut in Canada and brought down so they’re already well in their way to being dried out,” Allin explained.
Christmas trees can even become home to vermin, like bats.
The pickup program is borough-wide and will continue throughout the month of January.
Residents can place their unwanted trees between the sidewalk and the curb. All lights, decorations, bags and stands must be removed.
Paul Greulich can be reached at 908-686-7700 ext. 121, or at glenridgepaper@gmail.com.