AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Writing blogs about the importance of recycling is an important element of helping to take care of the environment. Things that you can do to recycle, reduce and/or reuse are important to protect Mother Earth. During CW Austin Mornings we have been telling you ways to recycle items leading up to, during, and after the holiday, be it Christmas or Hanukkah. Add one more to that list. A long-standing tradition in Austin continues this year. The good people at Austin Resource Recovery (ARR) have, for more than 30 years, given City of Austin curbside customers an excellent opportunity to recycle their Christmas tree. Part of what makes this a good program is how easy the city makes it for locals. You can give that tree its second life starting on Thursday, Dec. 26. Customers need only to place their all-natural holiday trees on the curb by 5:30 a.m. on their normal scheduled collection day. These trees are turned into compost and/or mulch. Keep in mind this is only for all-natural trees. They must be bare. This means no decorations, no lights, no ornaments, and no tinsel. One more important "rule" is that any tree that is six feet or taller MUST be cut in half. Sprayed trees, those with flocking, are not eligible for recycling. A long-standing tradition, one entering its 38th year, is the Holiday Tree Recycle event sponsored not only by ARR but also by Austin Parks and Recreation. = During the event, you have the chance to go to Zilker Park between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Dec. 28, Jan. 4 and Jan. 5 to recycle your holiday tree. The trees must be presented in their natural state. So, what happens to the trees you bring to Zilker Park? The trees are turned into mulch. The benefits of mulch are many. They protect a tree's roots from the temperature extremes this area is subject to during the winter and beyond. Did you know that freezing followed by thawing can injure a tree's roots? Another positive aspect of mulch is that there is less loss of water because the mulch prevents the sun from heating in the summer and the wind from evaporating valuable water. When the water is properly absorbed the soil is protected from erosion. The mulch will be available on Wednesday, January 8 at 9 a.m. for those who want to show and up and get some. This date is flexible based on the weather. It's a win-win. You get to enjoy your tree during the season, then, once the season ends, use the tree again to help your gardens and outdoor trees. Happy Holidays.