Now that Christmas has officially come and gone, many will begin to remove the lights and ornaments from their holiday trees, preparing to take their trees to the curbside. But, that doesn't have to be the end of the trees' use, according to local recycling agencies. Recyclists remind the community that the trees could be ideal for fish habitats or simply grinded into mulch for landscaping purposes. On Saturday, Jan. 6, the annual Bring One for the Chipper program will be underway from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the parking lot of the Polk County Courthouse, which adjoins St. Bernadette's Catholic Church. Residents are invited to bring their trees to be recycled. Seedlings will be given in exchange for the Christmas trees, while supplies last. Pond owners are also encouraged to come and get a tree for their ponds. Trees can also be taken to the county convenience centers during normal operating hours, Monday through Saturday, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and from 1-5 p.m. on Sunday. Dumpsters are located at the following sites:

—Baldwin Cut, on old Atlanta Hwy., Rockmart

—Davis Road, behind Wal-Mart, Cedartown

—Canal Street, Cedartown

—U.S. Highway 278 East, Rockmart

—Prospect Road, Aragon

—U.S. Highway 27 South, at Farmer's Store, Cedartown

Anyone needing additional information can call Jimmy Lowther, Solid Waste Management Director, Polk County, at 770-748-8276.