Question: How can we properly dispose of our Christmas trees? I think you should post this answer in your column to help others out. I didn't know that the city still had tree recycling “;centers”; at its parks, such as the one this past Monday at Makaunulau Park in Mililani.

Answer: The city did not sponsor that recycling effort, and neither did the state, which previously hosted Christmas “;treecycling”; at Makaunulau Park and other locations.

In fact, on its opala.org Web site, the city Department of Environmental Services says: “;Please be aware that the state has discontinued the special treecycling sites at parks and other locations around the island. Do not bring your trees to these sites.”;

The state Department of Health discontinued its tree recycling program a few years ago because of the city's green waste curbside collection, feeling “;this was a more efficient way of handling the material,”; said spokeswoman Janice Okubo. “;There may be private groups running collections, but we are not aware of any state efforts.”;

Meanwhile, city officials say people can just dispose of their trees—minus ornaments and tinsel—during regular curbside collection, at any city Refuse and Recycling Convenience Center, or at a composting facility.

The city is allowing apartment and commercial buildings with large loads to deliver trees directly to composting sites without having to pay the usual fees, a post-Christmas gift from the city.

Households using the cart pickup system must fit the tree inside the cart. That means cutting the tree into maximum 3-foot lengths and trimming branches so everything will fall easily out of the cart .

Households using the bag pickup system also are advised to cut the tree into 3-foot or shorter lengths before placing into the bag and placing it at the curb.

If you can't be bothered by cutting and trimming the tree, just take it whole to a convenience center.

You can find locations and more information at www.opala.org/solid_waste/holiday_trash_tips.htm.

Greetings Arrived

One of the readers who questioned whether the White House really does send birthday greetings to certain people (see hsblinks.com/1ma) sent us a copy of the birthday card that finally arrived for her mother in November.

Her mother turned 93 in July.

With a “;The White House/Washington”; heading, the card read: “;We wish you the very best on your birthday. You have witnessed great milestones in our nation's history, and your life represents an important part of the American story. As you reflect upon all of your wonderful memories, may you also look forward to the promise in each of life's moments yet to come. We hope you are blessed with many more joyful years.”; It was signed, “;Sincerely, Barack Obama (and) Michelle Obama.”;

American citizens celebrating these milestones qualify for a greeting card: at least an 80th birthday; 50 years or more of marriage; getting married; being born; or receiving an Eagle Scout award/Girl Scout Gold Award, Bar/Bat Mitzvah or “;equivalent occasion.”;

But it may take awhile, as in this case.

A White House spokesman told us in September that the Greetings Office had been swamped with requests for special greetings from the president.

Write to ”;Kokua Line”; at Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana, Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or e-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).