BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — Beginning Saturday, a number of locations around Kern County will begin accepting Christmas trees as part of programs by Bakersfield and Kern County Public Works.

"This program encourages residents throughout the county to recycle their Christmas trees at various county and partnership locations and prevent trees from being illegally dumped or improperly recycled in the residential greenwaste container," Kern Public Works said in a news release.

Public Works says if you prefer to take your Christmas trees to one of the drop-off locations, please tarp and secure your load properly. Don’t forget to remove all ornaments, lights, other decorations, and the tree stand prior to dropping off your Christmas tree.

"In the Metro Bakersfield area, residents can place Christmas trees into their greenwaste container, as long as the tree is cut into small pieces to fit in your container and the container lid must be able to securely close. Whole trees are not accepted," Public Works said.

A full list of locations provided by Kern County Public Works can be viewed here.