If you were dead set on a 'tradition' holiday this year, risking the house fire and all with a "live" tree, the questions linger about disposing of it. Luckily, in Lawton, the city will pick it up for you this week. You just set it out at the curb, along with any other bulk trash you have, give them a call and they'll swing by with a truck.

All the same, a few fishermen tend to tie bricks and concrete blocks to xmas tree trunks and dump them in local lakes. Not as trash, but as future fish attracting structure. It's terribly irresponsible, illegal in most waters, but really effective. It's become quiet a problem for the OK Department of Wildlife and Army Corps of Engineers too.

Not only do people tend to litter public waters with old trees and brush, they also like to sink old barrels, bathtubs, and the like to attract big catfish. Then you get to do some lazy noodling. No more fishing, just catching. It was this time of year two years ago when the game warden in my hometown pulled 13 bathtubs out of their local city lake.

If you don't want to make a trip out to the dump or illegally place your tree in some random dumpster, just set it out at the curb. Here are all the details on how to do it straight from the Lawton Gov website.

City of Lawton Solid Waste Collection will collect Christmas trees and excess Christmas items for disposal at Louise D. McMahon Park, 1602 SW 38th Street, from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Dec. 26-29.

Excess Christmas items to be accepted include boxes, bagged trash and other items that cannot fit into 95-gallon residential carts provided by the City.
Citizens may also call Solid Waste Collection at (580)581.3413 or (580)581.3428 to schedule a bulk pickup at their homes weekdays between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Residents are eligible for two free bulk pickups per year.

Bulk pickups must not exceed six cubic yards of trash; the trash cannot include demolition, automotive or remodel debris; the trash must be at least five feet away from street signs, mailboxes and fences; the trash cannot be placed beneath tree limbs.

Those dropping off holiday waste or scheduling bulk pickups should have a utility bill/proof of residency available.

The City of Lawton wishes residents a happy and safe holiday season. Thank you.

More From KLAW-FM