FILE- George Highhouse, of Scranton, brings his Christmas tree and a wreath to Lackawanna County Recycling in Dunmore, Pa., on Jan. 2, 2019. Discarded Christmas trees can be picked up curbside for recycling through regular trash-collection services or or dropped off at locations in various cities. The trees are often shredded for use as compost or mulch that is offered back to residents and non-profit groups free of charge for gardening and landscaping. (Jake Danna Stevens/The Times-Tribune via AP, File)

Taking down the Christmas tree is only one task after the holiday season. For families with real trees, figuring out what to do with them can be as easy as placing them curbside for recycling. Some cities collect and shred discarded Christmas trees, then offer them back free of charge as mulch for gardening and landscaping. The trees also can be stashed somewhere in the backyard as a shelter for birds. In many states, trees are used for fish habitat, rebuilding wetlands or shoring up eroded coastal areas. The last place to send them is to the landfill, where growing piles release the greenhouse gas methane as they decompose.