Department of Agriculture Christmas tree chipping program begins

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The Guam Department of Agriculture is encouraging the public to start the new year off right by properly disposing of their Christmas Trees.

A release from Christine Camacho Fejeran of the Forestry & Soil Resources Division advises residents to avoid burning Christmas trees and not to dispose of them in the jungle.

The Department is sponsoring a chipping program that starts today.

Residents can dispose of their trees by bringing them to the Forestry Nursery parking lot next to the Department of Agriculture’s main office in Mangilao.

All chipping will occur between the hours of 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.

After the first day of chipping Dec. 30, the program will resume again after New Year’s Day on Thursday, Jan. 2, Friday, Jan. 3, and Saturday, Jan. 4.

Next week, chipping will be available on Monday the sixth, Thursday the ninth, Friday the 10th and Saturday the 11th.

Before you drop your tree at Agriculture, ensure:

  • Trees are completely clean and free of ornaments, lights, tinsel, etc.
  • Mulch may be collected for personal purposes ONLY and not to be sold
  • Residents who want to collect mulch will need to bring their own bag and shovel to collect and remove mulch.

No trees are accepted after 2 p.m. to allow the agency to chip what’s left and secure the site for the evening to prevent damage or vandalism to equipment or mulch supply.

The Department of Agriculture urges you to use tekken netting — a fishing net — to cover any vegetation piled and sitting for long periods of time to prevent the growth and spread of rhino beetles.

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