Can you burn your Christmas tree in your front yard? What Myrtle Beach area laws say
Hoping to get rid of the Christmas tree by setting fire to it?
Here’s what the laws in Myrtle Beach area municipalities say about burning a tree in a yard.
In Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach, burning a tree to dispose of it is illegal, according to city municipalities. North Myrtle Beach requires all recreational fires be contained to a container, such as a fire pit, and is 20 feet away from any structure or vegetation.
Myrtle Beach follows similar ordinances and bans open burning, which includes burn barrels or burn pits and the burning of yard waste.
Conway allows residents to burn trees in their yards but only with a permit.
Within unincorporated Horry County, burning a tree in a neighborhood like Carolina Forest is likely not okay, but can be done in more rural areas. Recreational fires and grilling is allowed anywhere but open burning must be done at least 50 feet away from any structure and 50 away from a property line.
Horry County allows the burning of natural vegetation, firewood and clean lumber while banning items like tires, treated wood and insulation. The fire must also be supervised, under control and not create nuisance conditions. Don’t forget to inform the South Carolina Forestry about the burn.
When open burning, also check in with any HOA laws before starting the burn, said Horry County spokeswoman Mikayla Moskov over text.
Other ways to dispose of Christmas trees
If burning the tree isn’t an option, there are several other ways to dispose of a Christmas tree.
Greg Lucas with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources recommended turning the tree into a brush pile, which can provide a home for small animals.
Horry County also has a Grinding of the Greens program to recycle Christmas trees after the holidays that lasts until Jan. 29. Trees can be brought to any solid waste recycling and convenience center or those living in Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Conway, Surfside Beach, Loris and Aynor can leave their tree on the curb and have it picked up.
Horry County Solid Waste Authority will then grind the trees into mulch, which will be free for people to pick up.
