Residents looking to recycle their Christmas trees after the holidays have myriad of good causes they can support.
In Victoria, the Central Music Parents Association hosts tree chipping on Saturday, Jan. 8 and Sunday Jan. 9, 2022 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily at 1280 Fort. St. Central Middle School band students recycle trees by donation with proceeds supporting music at the school, including funding band trips, subsidizing instrument rental, and ensuring all students at Central can participate in the program.
Young athletes benefit from the annual Castaway Wanderers annual tree chipping. For more than 20 years the rugby football club has welcomed the community to dispose of trees by donation to support mini and junior rugby.
The club partners with Bartlett Tree Services for chipping services on Currie Road in Oak Bay, near the Windsor Park Rose Garden. Dates this year are Dec. 27 and 31 from 1 to 4 p.m. and in the new year, Jan. 1, 2, 8 and 9 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a final chipping event Jan. 15 from 1 to 4 p.m.
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Oak Bay firefighters, with help from Bartlett Tree Experts, host their annual tree recycle program Jan. 1 and 2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to benefit Oak Bay Firefighters Charitable Foundation. Recycling is by-donation and proceeds go toward the Oak Bay High School Bursary Program.
North Saanich’s fire department is also already looking to the post-Christmas period as it will collect Christmas trees on Jan. 8. between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m with residents able to enjoy hot dogs and refreshments. The cost of the tree collection is by donation with funds going toward Santa’s Anonymous. North Saanich and Sidney residents may call 250-656-1931 before or the day of Jan. 8 to arrange for Christmas tree pick up with minimum $20 donation.
The Central Saanich Lions are set up to recycle trees by donation after Christmas. Chipping runs at 1700 Keating X Rd. on Dec. 27 and 28, Jan. 2, 3, 8 and 9, 2022, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. A donation box is provided, for after-hours drop-offs and COVID-19 protocols will be in place. Trees will be chipped by a local tree service and sold to a local farmer for bedding.
Sidney Lions Club offers its annual Christmas tree shredding at the Iroquois Park in the New Year. Shredding runs Jan. 8 and 9, 2022 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. They also welcome drop-offs for a bottle drive Jan. 8.
Tree chipping in support of music at Reynolds Secondary in Saanich runs Jan. 2, 8 and 9. Find them in the parking lot of the school, 3963 Borden St., from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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Dispose of your live Christmas tree and support Easter Seals. Trees will be recycled and donations go to Easter Seals programs and services, including Camp Shawnigan, that help enable persons with diverse abilities in your community. Numerous Lions Clubs from Greater Victoria volunteering Jan. 8 and 9, 2022 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at sites across the region. Locations include Tillicum Centre, Save-On-Foods at Fort and Foul Bay, Westshore Town Centre, University Heights Shopping Centre and Broadmead Village Shopping Centre. Supporting business Davey Tree Services will visit the sites periodically throughout the weekend to chip the trees onsite.
Colwood Fire hosts a tree chipping by donation Jan. 8 and 9 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the fire hall, 3215 Metchosin Rd. Funds raised go toward the Colwood Firefighters Historical Society.
Lochside Elementary offers tree chipping by donation Jan. 1, 2 and 8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day at 1145 Royal Oak Dr. Proceeds support youth and community athletics. Garden City Tree and Landscape will be doing the chipping.
Victoria High hosts tree chipping Jan 8, 9, 15 and 16 at the Fernwood campus on Grant Street. Recycling is by donation with benefits to the music programs.
Do you have a tree-chipping event scheduled? Let us know! Email vnc.editorial@blackpress.ca.
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