Dispose of trees wisely from Polar Express, homes
MADISON – Just as they were placed in a timely procedure, Christmas trees now need a wise disposal in the 2025 Madison Polar Express Christmas Tree Trail, along with trees that decorated individuals’ homes. Operation Christmas Cleanup can help.
The 2026 Operation Christmas Cleanup on Jan. 10, 2026, will be held at Madison City Schools Stadium, 211 Celtic Drive. In Huntsville, the cleanup will be held at John Hunt Park, 2315 Airport Road. The cleanup will be available from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
In addition to ‘live’ or real Christmas trees, the acceptable items for disposal are cardboard, batteries and electronics. Individuals should flatten cardboard boxes.
Unacceptable items at the cleanup are artificial trees, lights, ornaments, Styrofoam, packing materials, plastic bags and wrapping paper. Rain date for the cleanup is Jan. 17, 2026.
Sponsors for Operation Christmas Cleanup are City of Madison, Huntsville Parks & Recreation, Solid Waste Disposal Authority, Recycling Alliance of North Alabama, Madison County and Green Team Huntsville.
For the 2025 trail, a new record was set with 80 trees placed along Main Street.
“What an outstanding trail we had this year!” Debbie Overcash, Chair of Polar Express, said. “The trees were decorated and have lit up our sweet Main Street throughout this holiday season. Thank you. We’ve gotten rave reviews that the trees were the most beautiful and creative ever.”
The last official day of the Polar Express will be Jan. 1, 2026. All trees should be cleared of decorations by 5 p.m. on Jan. 4, 2026. Madison Parks and Recreation Department will remove, recycle and mulch all trees on Jan. 5, 2026. All trees must be completely bare.
Participants should leave the ‘Polar Express’ sign in place. The signage will be reused in future years.
Judges selected winners for tree decorations in three categories: Mayor’s Choice Award, Madison Senior Center; Showstopper Award, Southern Scape; Holly Jolly Award, Madison Greenway and Trails.
The Polar Express winners will be recognized at Madison City Council’s meeting on Jan. 12 at 6 p.m.
The City of Madison and Madison Station Historical Preservation Society sponsored the trail.
“The community has expressed over and over how beautiful the trail is and how much they love and look forward to this event each year,” Overcash said. “Record crowds again prove what a wonderful event this is for Madison.”
