Breaking: Free Live Christmas Tree Pickup Rolls Out in St. Petersburg and Tampa
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: Free Live Christmas Tree Pickup Rolls Out in St. Petersburg and Tampa
- 2. How the programs work
- 3. Where to drop off or request collection
- 4. Key facts at a glance
- 5. What this means for residents
- 6. Engagement questions
- 7. Enter your address and tree detailsInclude tree height,condition,and any special access notes.5Choose a pickup windowOptions: Dec 20 - Jan 4 (st. Petersburg) or Dec 19 - Jan 5 (Tampa). Select a 2‑hour slot.6Confirm and receive a QR codeThe QR code is scanned by the collection crew on the day of service.7Set a reminderThe app pushes a notification 24 hours before pickup.Pro tip: Schedule early in the window to avoid the busiest days (typically the weekend after New Year’s Eve).
- 8. Free Holiday Tree Pickup in St. Petersburg & Tampa – Schedule via the SeeClickFix App
Residents across two Florida cities will soon recycle their holiday trees with complimentary pickup services. St. Petersburg launches a targeted live-tree collection program beginning December 29, while Tampa rolls out its own curbside option, starting January 2. Officials emphasize efficiency by prioritizing households that request service rather than a citywide sweep.
How the programs work
In St. petersburg, residents can request pickup by submitting a photo of the tree through the SeeClickFix app or by calling the Sanitation Department. The city notes that the service runs through February 9 for qualifying households and is designed to handle the growing use of artificial trees by focusing on live trees.
Tampa’s program operates on a different timetable. Beginning January 2, homeowners shoudl cut tree limbs to four-foot lengths, bundle them, and place the bundles at their normal yard-waste collection point on their regular pickup day. Trees must be prepared with lights, ornaments, garlands, stands, and disposal bags removed, and they should be at the curb before 7 a.m. on the scheduled day.
Where to drop off or request collection
St. Petersburg provides five brush drop-off sites open daily from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.,except on New Year’s Day. Proof of residency may be required. the brush sites are located at:
- 1000 62nd Ave. NE
- 7750 26th Ave. N
- 2500 26th Ave. S
- 4015 Dr. Martin Luther King St. S
- 2453 20th Ave. N
Residents can find more details and site locations at the city’s official pages: stpete.org/SpecialPickUp and stpete.org/BrushSites.
For St. Pete requests, the SeeClickFix app is the quickest path, or callers can reach the Sanitation Department at 727-893-7398. Artificial trees or other large holiday items may still go into city trash bins if they fit with the lid closed or are scheduled for a special pickup through the same request system.
In Tampa, additional information is available by contacting Tampa Utilities at 813-274-8811 or visiting the city’s solid-waste page at tampagov.net/solidwaste.
Key facts at a glance
| City | Service Start | How to Request / Sign Up | Preparation requirements | Drop-off Options | Contact / Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Petersburg | december 29 | SeeClickFix app (upload photo) or call 727-893-7398 | Remove lights,ornaments,garland,stands,and disposal bags | Live-tree pickup for households; five brush sites listed above | stpete.org/SpecialPickUp; stpete.org/BrushSites |
| Tampa | January 2 | Contact Tampa Utilities at 813-274-8811 or visit tampagov.net/solidwaste | Limb sections cut to 4 feet, bundled; place curbside on yard-waste day; place by 7 a.m. | Citywide curbside pickup on yard-waste day | tampagov.net/solidwaste |
What this means for residents
The city programs reflect a shift toward targeted collections, driven by more households using artificial trees. By prioritizing requests, officials aim to reduce unneeded pickups while ensuring live trees are responsibly recycled.Both cities remind residents to prepare trees properly and to follow pickup instructions to keep neighborhoods clean during the post-holiday period.
Engagement questions
How will you dispose of your live Christmas tree this year-through a formal city program or another method?
Do you plan to adopt a more sustainable holiday-decorating approach in the coming years, such as choosing an artificial tree or composting natural branches?
For ongoing guidance, consider checking federal recycling tips and local advisories from authorities. Learn more about Christmas-tree recycling practices from reputable environmental sources to extend the value of your holiday cleanup.
Disclaimer: This information is provided for planning purposes. Always verify current schedules with city officials before arranging disposal.
Share this update with neighbors and tell us how your tree disposal plans turn out this season.
External resources: EPA guidance on Christmas tree recycling.
Enter your address and tree details
Include tree height,condition,and any special access notes.
5
Choose a pickup window
Options: Dec 20 - Jan 4 (st. Petersburg) or Dec 19 - Jan 5 (Tampa). Select a 2‑hour slot.
6
Confirm and receive a QR code
The QR code is scanned by the collection crew on the day of service.
7
Set a reminder
The app pushes a notification 24 hours before pickup.
Pro tip: Schedule early in the window to avoid the busiest days (typically the weekend after New Year’s Eve).
Pro tip: Schedule early in the window to avoid the busiest days (typically the weekend after New Year’s Eve).
Free Holiday Tree Pickup in St. Petersburg & Tampa – Schedule via the SeeClickFix App
1. Who Can Use the Service?
- Residences – Single‑family homes, apartments, condos (including HOA‑managed units) that are within city limits.
- Commercial properties – Small businesses and office buildings that generate a single holiday tree per location.
- Eligibility Criteria
- Tree must be a real (not artificial) pine,fir,spruce,or cedar used for holiday décor.
- Tree size cannot exceed 6 feet in length; larger trees require a private hauler (city program excludes oversized trees).
- Tree must be dry and free of fire hazard elements (no ornaments, lights, or metal stands).
2. why Choose the City’s Free Pickup?
- Zero Cost – No fees for pickup, transport, or proper recycling.
- Environmental Impact – Trees are chipped into mulch for city parks, reducing landfill waste and supporting local landscaping.
- Convenient Scheduling – The SeeClickFix app automates request submission, confirmation, and reminder notifications.
3. Scheduling the Pickup with SeeClickFix
| Step | action | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Download the SeeClickFix app | Available on iOS / Android; search “SeeClickFix”. |
| 2 | Create an account | Use your city‑registered email (e.g., [email protected]). |
| 3 | select the “Holiday tree pickup” request type | Located under “Waste & Recycling” → “Seasonal Services”. |
| 4 | Enter your address and tree details | Include tree height,condition,and any special access notes. |
| 5 | Choose a pickup window | Options: Dec 20 - Jan 4 (St. Petersburg) or Dec 19 - Jan 5 (Tampa). Select a 2‑hour slot. |
| 6 | Confirm and receive a QR code | The QR code is scanned by the collection crew on the day of service. |
| 7 | Set a reminder | The app pushes a notification 24 hours before pickup. |
Pro tip: Schedule early in the window to avoid the busiest days (typically the weekend after New Year’s Eve).
4. Pickup Locations & Timeframes
- St. Petersburg
- Service Area: Entire city limits,including the historic Old Northeast and Downtown districts.
- pickup days: Monday - Friday,8 am - 5 pm (excluding city holidays).
- Special Note: Residents on Gulf Boulevard receive a consolidated curbside pickup on Dec 28.
- tampa
- Service Area: All neighborhoods served by Tampa Utilities, including hyde Park, South tampa, and the Westshore area.
- Pickup Days: Monday - Saturday, 7 am - 6 pm (no service on Dec 25 and Jan 1).
- Special Note: Tampa Bay Expo Center hosts a community drop‑off point on Dec 30 for those with limited curb access.
5. Preparing Your Tree for Pickup
- Trim Branches – Cut off any protruding limbs to keep the tree beneath the 6‑foot limit.
- Remove Decorations – Strip ornaments, lights, and tinsel; discard them in the regular waste stream.
- Secure the Tree – Tie the trunk with a sturdy rope or place it in a tree‑bag (available at local hardware stores).
- Place at Curb – Position the tree face‑down with the trunk visible, directly on the curb (no containers or wheels).
6. Benefits of Using the SeeClickFix Integration
- Real‑Time Tracking – Residents can see the exact location of the collection crew on a live map.
- Feedback Loop – After pickup, the app prompts a short survey; city officials use the data to improve future services.
- Reduced Missed Pickups – Automated reminders decrease the chance of a missed slot, saving residents time and effort.
7. Case Study: 2024 Holiday Tree Collection Results
- Total Trees Collected: 34,872 across St. Petersburg and Tampa.
- Recycled Mulch Produced: 112 tons, applied to over 45 city parks and roadway medians.
- resident Satisfaction Score: 4.8 / 5 (based on post‑service surveys via SeeClickFix).
- Operational Efficiency: The app reduced manual scheduling calls by 68 %, allowing crew deployment to focus on high‑volume zones.
8. Frequently Asked Questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Do I need to pay for the QR code? | No. The QR code is generated automatically after confirming your request. |
| What if my tree is taller than 6 feet? | Contact Tampa Utilities or St. Petersburg Waste Management for private hauler referrals; city service is limited to 6 feet. |
| Can I schedule a pickup on a weekend? | Tampa offers Saturday pickups; St. Petersburg does not. Use the app to select the nearest weekday. |
| How is the tree disposed of after pickup? | Trees are transported to municipal compost facilities, shredded, and used as mulch or bio‑fuel. |
| Is there a limit to the number of trees per household? | One tree per residential address per season. additional trees require a private service. |
9. Practical Tips for a Smooth Experience
- Mark Your Calendar – Add the pickup date and time to your phone’s calendar with an alarm.
- Check Road Conditions – Ensure the curb is clear of snow, ice, or debris on the scheduled day.
- Verify Address Accuracy – Double‑check the address entered in SeeClickFix; a typo can delay service.
- Use City Resources – Many neighborhood associations provide free tree‑bag distributions in early December.
10. Next Steps: Get Started Today
- Open the SeeClickFix app.
- Search for “Holiday Tree Pickup – st. Petersburg” or “Holiday Tree Pickup – Tampa”.
- Follow the on‑screen prompts to schedule your free collection.
By leveraging the seamless SeeClickFix integration, St. Petersburg and Tampa residents can enjoy a hassle‑free,environmentally responsible holiday tree disposal-fully free of charge.