Donations of Christmas pine trees are being accepted for free at Warrnambool Community Garden

The trees can be dropped off at Warrnambool Community Garden where they will be mulched and scattered along the pathways until January 30. In 2019, almost 400 trees were mulched through the program.

Warrnambool Community Garden convener Rob Porter said the program minimised the incidents of Christmas trees "ending up where they shouldn't be".

"We provide the services for council to mulch them as we want to give people the best opportunity to get rid of their trees," Mr Porter said.

He said all ornaments and other decorations must be removed from the tree.

"It's really important to take your decorations off first and that no other rubbish is dropped off, " he said. "Otherwise it ends up on the path and could hurt the children attending the garden."

Mr Porter said the trees must be dropped off by the cut-off date as the council did the mulching in one go. "Last year we had a few trees dropped off in early February, if the wrong material comes in or after we've mulched, it costs us to dispose it," he said.

The program is a partnership with the council's environmental officer who works with local groups to increase sustainability.

The program is run by volunteers so no pick-up service is available.

The garden is located at the corner of Grieve and Derby streets. Drop off the tree to the right of the gates behind the signs and temporary fencing.

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