Christmas trees still on Camden pavements a month on

The food’s been eaten, the lights have been taken down and the presents are forgotten about. But more than a month since Christmas Day, a reminder of the festive season can still be seen on Camden streets.

In a five minute walk around Greencroft Gardens and Fairhazel Gardens in the Swiss Cottage ward on Wednesday February 7, the Ham&High was able to spot three Christmas trees still on the pavement.

It is more than a month since Twelfth Night, which according to superstition, Christmas trees should be taken down by to avoid bad luck.

Camden Council previously advised residents to take their real Christmas trees to particular sites in the borough to have them recycled.

The trees in the area are less than a mile from a designated recycling point, at Kilburn Grange Park.

Conservative candidate for Swiss Cottage in the council elections, Kate Fairhurst, said the council should do more to inform residents: “One of the big issues are people are often not aware of where to take them. We are caught in the middle of the collection points and there isn’t one in the Swiss Cottage ward.”

She also agreed part of the responsibility was down to residents.

“There is a burden on the individual to do something, but also we know increasing recycling rates is because of better information.”

Camden Council said the locations of the trees had been passed onto the environment team for collection.