With the 12 days of Christmas almost over, residents across Southampton and the New Forest will be looking to bin their real trees.

But there are changes to disposals of real Christmas trees this year, with councils warning locals to be aware of new rules.

In Southampton, the city council said on their website that there will be no city-wide real tree collection.

Southampton City Council said: “If you are subscribed to our Garden Waste collection service, you can put your real Christmas tree out for collection on your next scheduled garden waste collection day, with your bin.

“Trees over 1.8 metres (6 foot) tall should be cut into smaller pieces so that they can be safety lifted by one person. Please remove all decorations and lights.

“Our Garden Waste service will be suspended from Wednesday 25 December 2024 and restart on Wednesday 8 January 2025.”

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The council says that any real trees put in general waste bins will not be collected, as this waste will be considered contaminated.

If residents are not subscribed to garden waste collection, then they are asked to take any real trees to the Household Waste and Recycling Centre on First Avenue.

The council warns that bookings are required for visits to all Hampshire tips, though this is free to do.

Eastleigh Borough Council will also collect real trees on scheduled collection days if residents are subscribed to their garden waste scheme.

They say that they can only collect trees up to four feet in length.

In the New Forest, the district council says that they will be recycling trees from December 31 to January 14.

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Some 11 car parks across the district will be free drop-off points, and trees will be chipped to create mulch, preventing weeds from growing on local plants.

Drop-off points will be open at the following locations:

  • Blackfield (Gang Warily Community Centre Car Park, SO45 1GA)  
  • Brockenhurst (Brookley Road Car Park, SO42 7RA)
  • Burley (Burley Coach Park, BH24 4AA)  
  • Fordingbridge (A338 Slip Road Car Park, SP6 1AW)
  • Hythe (New Road Car Park, SO45 6BP)
  • Lymington (Bath Road Car Park, SO41 3SE)
  • Lyndhurst (Village Centre Car Park, SO43 7BF)  
  • Milford on Sea (Hurst Road East Overflow Car Park, by Sturt Pond, SO41 0PY)
  • New Milton (Crossmead Avenue Car Park, BH25 6NF) 
  • Ringwood (Furlong Long Stay Car Park, follow signs to designated area, BH24 1AT)  
  • Totton (Rumbridge Street Car Park, SO40 9EA)

Residents are asked to remove all decorations and trees must be placed as far back as possible in the fenced bay.

New Forest District Council warns that any trees left in car parks not on this list will be treated as fly-tipping.

B&Q in Nursling and Alma Road Car Park near Waitrose in Romsey are also drop-off points.