If you're eyeing your drying Christmas tree and trying to figure out the easiest way to legally get rid of it, Saturday, Jan. 5, is your lucky day.

Boy Scout troops will cart off your holiday evergreen for a donation. All you have to do is get it to the curb.

Trees should be on the curb by 8 a.m. Saturday and cleared of tinsel, stands and decorations.

There's no need to call ahead in some communities. Automatic pickup is available in Bellingham, Ferndale, Blaine, Lynden and Everson. People in Birch Bay, Maple Falls and Kendall can request a pickup by calling Phil McAfee, 360-733-1513.

Scouts will knock on doors requesting donations. The money helps children who can't afford camp fees and supplies. Don't leave the donation with the tree, McAfee said.

The trees picked up by the scouts are chipped and used as mulch in city parks.

If that doesn't work for you, local trash companies offer other options.

Customers participating in SSC's Food Plus! program can place their tree inside their toter at no additional cost. If the tree is too big, it can be set beside the toter. In that case, pickup will cost $6 per tree up to 8 feet long.

SSC customers who don't use Food Plus! can arrange pickup for a $6 fee at 360-734-3490.

Another option is to take the tree to the recycling center and transfer station at 1001 Roeder Ave., Bellingham. The cost is $6; again trees must be no taller than 8 feet.

Nooksack Valley Disposal accepts trees of any size for $2 at its facility, 250 Birch Bay-Lynden Road. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday 9 a.m. to noon.