Once the ornaments are stored for another year and the popcorn is unstrung, Christmas revelers must decide what to do with the drying conifers propped up in their houses.

Formerly taken outside and burned, trees can now be disposed of in several environmentally responsible ways.

In the Butler area, Stirling Landscaping in Center Township is accepting trees until Jan. 31 at 840 Mercer Road. Stirling will pick up trees within three miles of its business for $5, and an additional $1.50 for every mile beyond that.

A fee will be charged to those dropping off trees after Jan. 31.

Another drop-off site is the Seneca Landfill's composting site, 421 Hartmann Road in Jackson Township. A $5 fee will be charged.

In Butler Township, residents may put out their tree along with their trash during regular pickup days. In Butler, there is no pickup of trees or drop-off area.

Tree collections also are available in Cranberry, Harmony and Zelienople.

Lorin Meeder, Cranberry Township recycling coordinator, said the township's waste collection service has been recycling Christmas trees for five years. He said residential customers can plunk their bare pines down beside their trash tote for pick-up on their normal collection day.

Trucks will pick the trees up for free between Jan. 11 and 27, with no sticker required. Trees larger than 6 feet tall should be cut into smaller lengths, and trees cannot be bagged.

Meeder said the pines are taken to Beaver County and composted or chipped into mulch. He said the trees in the past were deposited in a landfill.

"They were using landfill space, which is a precious commodity," Meeder said. "Plus they're a commodity that can be reused."

Meeder said pines now used as Christmas trees are grown to be easily mulched or chipped.

He said people who get an artificial tree in the name of the environment are usually taking the wrong route.

Meeder said most artificial trees are manufactured outside of the United States where no environmental standards exist. They also are shipped across the oceans, which uses fuel and pollutes the air.

And, he said, the plastics in most artificial trees do not break down.

"They never decompose," said Meeder. "They're in a landfill forever."

The Zelienople Lions Club has been collecting Christmas trees in the borough and in Harmony for more than three decades.

Club member Ed Sherman said members of the Seneca Valley High School Junior ROTC program ride on trucks loaned by businesses and driven by Lions Club members to pick up the discarded trees.

"We get a hundred or so," said Sherman.

He said the trees are taken to the Breakneck Beagle Club in Evans City, where they are used to create shelter for rabbits. Beagle Club member Bob Dorsch said members pile six to eight trees in about 35 spots on the 220-acre compound to provide shelter for the rabbits the club cares for all year long.

"The Christmas trees make wonderful hiding places and shelter to keep them out of the severe weather," said Dorsch.

He said several trees are also placed in the club's 100-by-75-foot rearing pen, where rabbits are bred and raised when they are young.

Dorsch said the habitats also provide the rabbits protection from predators such as birds, coyotes, and feral cats. He said they make excellent habitats for expectant female rabbits that give birth to litters in the spring and early summer.

He said some trees are used for the facility's puppy pen, where rabbits are placed to familiarize beagle pups with the scent of their future prey.

"We're very happy to get them," said Dorsch. "It saves us from going out and cutting down trees to make the shelters. We're very appreciative."

Information on other ways to recycle are available by calling the Butler County Department of Recycling and Waste Management at 724-284-5305.