NEW Forest District Council is warning residents that dumping Christmas trees anywhere but certain sites will be considered fly-tipping. 

Residents are asked only to drop off real Christmas trees and remove any decorations first, such as lights or wreaths.

Trees must be placed as far back as possible in the fenced bay. 

List of Christmas tree drop-off locations:  

  • Blackfield (Gang Warily Community Centre Car Park, SO45 1GA)   
  • Brockenhurst (Brookley Road Car Park, SO42 7RA)
  • Burley (Burley Coach Park, BH24 4AA)   
  • Fordingbridge (A338 Slip Road Car Park, SP6 1AW)
  • Hythe (New Road Car Park, SO45 6BP)
  • Lymington (Bath Road Car Park, SO41 3SE)
  • Lyndhurst (Village Centre Car Park, SO43 7BF)   
  • Milford on Sea (Hurst Road East Overflow Car Park, by Sturt Pond, SO41 0PY)
  • New Milton (Crossmead Avenue Car Park, BH25 6NF)  
  • Ringwood (Furlong Long Stay Car Park, follow signs to designated area, BH24 1AT)   
  • Totton (Rumbridge Street Car Park, SO40 9EA)

The authority will recycle the trees by chipping them to create mulch.

The council said the mulch will be used locally to help keep moisture around plant roots, and to prevent weeds from growing.