Have you taken down the stockings with care? Then it's time to throw out the tree. But don't throw it anywhere, Christmas trees -- clear of all ornamentation -- can be dropped off at the following locations:

IN AIKEN, at H. O'Dell Weeks Activities Center, Smith-Hazel Center, Citizens Park and Perry Park until Jan. 10

IN AUGUSTA, at The Home Depot on Bobby Jones Expressway from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Jan. 12

IN COLUMBIA COUNTY, at Riverside Middle School, 1095 Furys Ferry Road in Evans, until Jan. 8.

Don't want to take your dehydrated tree for a ride? There are options for you, too.

- Augusta Solid Waste Department will pick up trees from your curb throughout January on yard waste pick-up day, which is either Monday or Tuesday depending on residents' normal collection schedule. The trees do not have to be cut into smaller pieces or bagged up.

- Aiken and Columbia county residents should contact their trash collection service for information on tree disposal because services can vary.

For example, in Columbia County, Augusta Disposal and Recycling Inc. will pick up trees for its clients who have purchased and placed a $5 tag on the tree.

-- From staff reports