The Niles Street Department will begin collecting and recycling Christmas trees from city residents beginning Monday, Jan. 18, weather permitting.

Street crews will make one trip through the entire city, beginning in the first ward and then continuing through the second, third and fourth wards.

The street department requests that residents place trees at the edge of the street, but not in the street, no later than the evening of Jan. 17.

Trees must be removed from plastic bags and must be completely stripped of all ornaments, lights and tree stands or they will not be picked up.

Citizens not wishing to discard their Christmas trees at this time can participate in the regular brush-chipping program, which will resume in April.