Overview
- - An older Catholic custom marked Mariä Lichtmess on February 2 as the day to clear away nativity scenes and trees, a practice few households follow today.
- - The Catholic Church now treats the season as ending on the Sunday after Epiphany, which has encouraged many families to choose January 6 for taking the tree down.
- - A 2021 snapshot shows dispersion in habits: 31% remove trees during the holidays, 12% right after New Year, 24% on January 6, and 31% after the end of January.
- - Disposal typically relies on municipal pickups or drop‑off sites where trees are shredded for compost or energy; illegal dumping can bring fines, and private open burning is generally barred.
- - Organized options range from fire‑department events and bonfires to competitions such as Christmas‑tree throwing in Ströbitz on January 10, 2026 and a Potsdam event on January 9, with a large burn on January 11; sustainability‑minded buyers can consider potted trees, though intact roots and smaller sizes improve planting success.