In two days it will be the date of the Ephiphany, Jan. 6, the traditional day to take down the Christmas tree, and for those with real trees, the day also poses the challenge of how to dispose of the tree.
In the village of Southampton, the does all the work. All village residents have to do is drag their trees to the curb. Village workers will continue to pick up Christmas trees until they are all gone, said Gary Goleski, the superintendent of public works.
Because the town of Southampton does not offer municipal waste pick up, town residents are responsible for bringing their trees to one of three transfer stations, located in Westhampton, and .
Terri Costanza, the recycling coordinator aide in the waste management department, explained this week that residents may dispose of trees, pine garland and wreaths at no cost, but there is a limit of three trees per resident.
Stands and lights must be removed from the trees or they will not be accepted.
Residents may hire a landscaper to dispose of their trees, and landscapers would then pay their typical truckload fees to drop off the trees, Costanza said.
The trees will be put through a wood chipper then composted or mulched. Residents may then pick up mulch for free for their landscaping and gardening needs.
The town transfer stations will accept trees through the end of January.
