How to dispose of your Christmas tree in France in 2026
Dumping an old tree on the pavement, in a park or in woodland is illegal, and can result in a fine
Dumping your tree can result in an on-the-spot fine of €135
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Christmas tree disposal is regulated in France, and dumping an old tree on the pavement, in a park or in woodland is illegal, and can result in a fine.
A discarded Christmas tree is classed as waste under the Code de l’environnement, and when dumped on a public space is treated as a dépôt sauvage (illegal dumping).
This can result in an on-the-spot fine of €135, rising to €375 if unpaid, and in serious cases fines can reach €15,000 where environmental damage is proven.
A tree dumped in the countryside or forest is also prohibited, as somewhat counterintuitively, Christmas trees do not benefit biodiversity.
Large accumulations of needles decompose slowly, disrupt soil balance and can harm organisms adapted to deciduous woodland. Such offences can attract fines of up to €1,500.
How to dispose of an old Christmas tree
The most straightforward option, if you cannot replant the tree outside, is the local déchetterie, where natural trees are accepted in the ‘green waste’ bin.
Artificial trees, or natural trees treated with artificial snow or chemical flocking, should also be taken to the dump, however they might not be accepted into the ‘green waste’ bin.
Opening hours vary, so it is advisable to check before travelling.
Many communes, particularly in urban areas, also organise temporary Christmas tree collection points from late December into January.These are often located in parks, market squares or near communal buildings.
Local councils publish locations and dates on their websites, facebook or municipal noticeboards.
Trees collected in this way are typically shredded and reused as mulch, compost or ground cover for public green spaces. In some areas they are also used to help fight coastal erosion.
Some garden centres and DIY stores run take-back schemes, sometimes offering vouchers in return, although participation varies by chain and region.
Alternatively, if you have goats, sheep or rabbits, you can let them eat old trees (as long as they do not have any glitter or equivalent) - pine bark is a natural vermifuge .
