Christmas tree pickup in Boston, MAChristmas treepickup inBoston.

What the city collects and what it leaves

The city collects trees curbside on your normal trash day during the two weeks following Christmas, and no yard waste is collected in those weeks. Set the tree at the curb by 6 a.m. on your trash day. Trees with lights, ornaments or a plastic bag are not collected, so strip it first and remove the stand. Check your exact tree dates in the Trash Day app or with 311 (617-635-4500).

The city's yard waste collection excludes buildings with more than 6 units, so a condo or large apartment building should ask its manager how trees are handled. The city's tree page covers Christmas trees only, so ask 311 about an artificial tree.

Getting a tree down a Boston staircase

The common Boston problem is the stairs. A six-foot tree has to come down a triple-decker's back porch or a rowhouse stoop, and needles drop the whole way. Wrap it in a sheet and carry it butt-first, or ask for it to be taken from inside. Streets in the Back Bay, Charlestown and the South End are narrow, so don't block a stoop with the tree overnight.

Bare trees at the curb tend to be rained on or covered in snow in early January, which makes them heavier.

Pickup, price and timing

JUNKRUN's tree pickup is $40 for a tree already at the curb or door, $55 from inside (up to 8 ft), and $75 for a tree over 8 ft, flocked, artificial or carried from a second floor; a second tree at the same stop is $15 off. The season is Dec 26 to mid January. These holiday prices are still a draft in our system, so confirm when you text.

If the city's date has passed or your building is not covered, this is the alternative; if the calendar works, use it free.

Tree-out checklist for Boston

• ✓Take off every light, ornament, tinsel strand and hook.
• ✓Remove the stand and any plastic bag or tree-removal sheet.
• ✓Check your trash day in the Trash Day app.
• ✓Carry it to the curb by 6 a.m. on that day, not the day before.
• ✓Sweep needles from the stairs; Boston's narrow stoops get slippery when wet.
• ✓If the dates have passed, text for a pickup.

Sources

Rules, fees and hours change, so confirm with Boston before you go.

• https://www.boston.gov/departments/public-works/leaf-and-yard-waste-schedule: “We collect Christmas trees curbside on your normal trash day during the two weeks following Christmas.” · accessed October 31, 2026
• https://www.boston.gov/departments/public-works/leaf-and-yard-waste-schedule: “Please place your trees on the curb by 6 a.m. on collection day.” · accessed October 31, 2026
• https://www.boston.gov/departments/public-works/leaf-and-yard-waste-schedule: “Any Christmas tree that has lights, ornaments or is in a plastic bag will not be collected.” · accessed October 31, 2026
• https://www.boston.gov/departments/public-works/leaf-and-yard-waste-schedule: “Check the Trash and Recycling Day app to find your specific tree collection dates.” · accessed October 31, 2026
• https://www.boston.gov/departments/public-works/leaf-and-yard-waste-schedule: “Please be aware that the City does not collect yard waste from buildings with more than 6 units.” · accessed October 31, 2026
• https://www.boston.gov/departments/public-works/leaf-and-yard-waste-schedule: “No yard waste is collected during this period.” · accessed October 31, 2026