Ah, the time-honored tradition of finding the Christmas tree. Whether it's a snowy fool's errand a la Clark Griswold or a bargain acquisition that would make The Old Man proud, securing that fine fir is a holiday rite of passage.

But what to do with that live tree after the holidays celebrations are over? Tradition dictates that revelers can leave their yuletide tree up though January 6, 2023. But afterwards, dumping it with the front-yard trash is unceremonious and disrespectful. Better to recycle holiday tree — especially at one of the city's tree recycling centers that are now open.

The City of Houston's Solid Waste Management Department has opened 24 residential tree drop-off recycling locations throughout the area. Locals can take their live trees to one of these centers across the city, where they will be repurposed for mulch or other landscape materials.

This tree recycling program is part of the City of Houston for the 33rd annual tree mulching event.

Before depositing the tree or trees, be sure to remove all lights, wire, tinsel, ornaments, nails, stands, and other non-organic decorative materials. Importantly, artificial, flocked, or painted trees will not be accepted. Residents have until January 26, 2024 to donate holiday trees.

Those who'd prefer to recycle their themselves can check out CultureMap news partner ABC13's handy guide to Christmas tree recycling.

Below is a list of Christmas tree recycling locations, also per ABC13 and the City of Houston.

Open daily 9 am to 6 pm

• Memorial Park at the Softball Parking Lot: 6402 Arnot St.
• T.C. Jester Park: 4200 T.C. Jester West
• Ellington Airport Recycling: Hwy 3 & Brantley Road
• Kingwood (Branch Library): Bens View Lane at Bens Branch Drive
• Doss Park (gates close at 5 pm): 2500 Frick Rd.

Open Tuesday to Sunday from 9 am to 6 pm

• Central Neighborhood Depository: 2240 Central St.
  
• Kirkpatrick Neighborhood Depository: 5565 Kirkpatrick
• Sommermeyer Neighborhood Depository: 14400 Sommermeyer
• N. Main Neighborhood Depository: 9003 North Main
• Southwest Neighborhood Depository: 10785 Southwest Freeway
• Sunbeam Neighborhood Depository: 5100 Sunbeam

Open Monday - Saturday, 8 am to 5 pm; closed Monday, Jan. 15, 2024

• Westpark Consumer Recycling Center: 5900 Westpark

Open Monday to Friday 7 am to 5 pm and Saturday 7 am to noon; closed Monday, January 1, 2024

• Living Earth: 5802 Crawford Rd.
• Living Earth: 1503 Industrial Drive, Missouri City
• Living Earth: 1700 E Highway 90Alt, Richmond
• Living Earth: 12202 Cutten Rd.
• Living Earth: 16138 Highway 6, Iowa Colony
• Living Earth: 5210 S. Sam Houston Parkway E.
• Living Earth: 27733 Katy Freeway, Katy
• Living Earth: 10310 Beaumont Highway
• Living Earth: 17555 I-45 South, Conroe
• Living Earth: 20611 U.S. 59, New Caney
• Living Earth: 9306 FM 523 Freeport