Area residents were observed this week disposing of their Christmas trees with the same urgency, discretion, and refusal to make eye contact typically associated with something they would prefer not to discuss later.

According to witnesses, residents across the county waited until nightfall, loaded trees into vehicles at odd angles, and drove directly to dumps, vacant lots, or curbside pickup zones with a sense of grim purpose before unloading quickly and leaving without looking back.

“It’s just a tree,” said one St. Pete resident, moments before glancing around the parking lot and lowering his voice. “No big deal.”

Neighbors reported seeing residents drag dried-out trees down sidewalks in silence, needles shedding behind them like evidence they did not intend to clean up. Several individuals were seen pausing before pickup zones, scanning their surroundings, then tossing trees down and immediately returning to their cars.

County officials confirmed that Christmas tree disposal typically spikes in the days following the holidays, noting that residents appear eager to “put the situation behind them.”

“We see a lot of decisive behavior,” said a sanitation worker. “No hesitation. No ceremony. Just drop and go.”

At local dumps, residents were observed pulling up, unloading trees without removing remaining ornaments, and driving off as if lingering would only make things worse. One man reportedly left his car running the entire time.

“It had lights on it two weeks ago,” said another resident, who asked not to be named. “Now it’s just… over.”

Officials said residents are encouraged to recycle trees properly, but acknowledged that many people seem more focused on separation than sustainability.

“The main thing is they don’t want it near their house anymore,” said one county employee. “After that, they stop asking questions.”

Several residents admitted they felt a mix of relief and unease once the tree was gone.

“You think you’ll miss it,” said a Clearwater homeowner. “But mostly you just want it out of your life.”

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