Residents are being urged to recycle their real Christmas trees to help the environment and raise money for Farleigh Hospice.
To avoid a car full of pine needles and waits at the tip, residents in mid Essex have until 4pm on January 3 to registered online so their pine trees can be collected on their own doorsteps on January 5-7.
Trees will be shredded into chippings to be used as biomass fuel or on pathways in cemeteries and parks.
Contour Landscapes in Writtle, Chelmsford, recycles the trees.
Manager Jacob Oram said: “The reason behind the tree team helping Farleigh with the Christmas trees is we all knew a great mechanic and a great man called Nick Mills that worked at our former workplace.
"He was such a kind gentle giant that would do anything to help anyone, to make their day easier.
"He unfortunately passed away, but Farleigh helped with his end of life care, so our former owner decided to help out with the trees and it has been tradition ever since.
"We haven't missed a year yet. As we are in a new company now, it is something I am keen to support going forward into the future as it is such an important cause that Farleigh stands for."
Farleigh Hospice’s fundraising manager Debbie de Boltz said since starting the service eight years ago, more than 120 tonnes of wood chippings have been recycled instead of going to waste.
She said: “If you are the proud owner of a real Christmas tree, please sign up for our Christmas tree recycling service and we will make sure that it is put to good use."
Last year, 101 volunteers took part in the tree collection using 60 vehicles with local companies, organisations councils and volunteers helping make the tree recycling drive successful.
When registering for the tree collection online, residents can also donate to the hospice, which provides care for people living with life-limiting illnesses such as cancer, heart disease and multiple sclerosis.
Farleigh Hospice will be collecting real trees outside homes in Braintree, Burnham, Chelmsford, Coggeshall, Danbury, Dunmow, Kelvedon, Maldon, Southminster, South Woodham Ferrers, Stock and Witham as well as the surrounding areas.
To register visit and to donate to Farleigh Hospice visit or call on 01245 457408
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