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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883
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Spokane, Boy Scouts picking up fresh-cut Christmas trees

The scouts and leaders of Boy Scout Troop 304 warm themselves next to a trash container which they were using for their Christmas tree disposal fundraiser Saturday, Jan. 8, 2017 at the corner of Lincoln Street and 14th Avenue in Spokane. Again in 2019 Boy Scouts are helping area residents dispose of their Christmas trees. (Jesse Tinsley / The Spokesman-Review)
By Rebecca White rebeccawh@spokesman.com(509) 459-5039

Spokane-area residents have about a week and a half to dispose of their fresh-cut Christmas trees before the city’s and the Boy Scouts’ Christmas tree pickup programs end.

People living in Spokane can leave Christmas trees at least 3 feet away from their recycling and garbage cans on their regular collection days. City spokeswoman Marlene Feist said trees must be under 6 feet and have a diameter of less than 3 inches or be cut in half before the city picks them and takes them to be composted. Artificial or flocked Christmas trees are not included in the pickup program.

The city will continue picking up Christmas trees until Jan. 11.

In Spokane Valley, Boy Scout Troop 400 will pick up Christmas trees this Saturday and Sunday for a $10 donation. Trees can also be dropped off for a $5 donation at Central Valley High School or University High School between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Troop Committee Chair Kevin Hall said the troop picked up 31 trees in Spokane Valley this weekend and is scheduled to pick up an additional 30 next weekend. He said the troop has time in its schedule to pick up more trees and has disposed of between 130 and 140 altogether.

Once the trees are dropped off or picked up, the Boy Scouts cut them up; they are composted through Sunshine Disposal and Recycling, the company that partners with the Scouts for this fundraiser.

He said they have raised about $1,500 from the fundraiser so far, which they will use for scholarships for children who may not be able to afford to participate in Boy Scouts, equipment and activities.