CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – The City of Charlottesville will be doing curbside Christmas tree pickup for recycling next week.

A city release announced starting Jan. 12, trees must be at the curb by 7 a.m. for collection that week.

The trees must be clear of all decorations, stands, and nails.

The program is for Christmas trees only, and no yard waste will be collected.

As in years past, the trees will be taken to Darden Towe Park, which is a collection center for a previously announced Albemarle County tree collection effort, for chipping.

The Charlottesville and Albemarle trees will be mulched, and that mulch will be available free of charge to the public beginning Jan. 19 at both Darden Towe and Claudius Crozet parks.

Albemarle announced the day after Christmas the operation of eight tree drop-off sites 7 a.m. to dark each day through Jan. 18.