YOU will NOT believe this mess 2day..check it out!

[bigbandjohn]

Originally posted by 2FastLX
Next year wrap the tree in Hefty extra great big huge trash bags then haul it out. Or you could lay down a big drop cloth, lay the tree on it, and drag it out that way. I went though this once. Getting pine needles out of shag carpet is a major PITA!!!

Actually, 2fastlx is right on....

What we do in our family is put a "special" bag underneath the treeskirt (it has a hole in the bottom to allow access to the stand and watering, and is 8 feet tall fully extended). All you do is take the skirt off, lift the bag up and lie it on it's side, tie the top and bottom off, and vioala! Mess-free removal! Can't remember where we get them. I think my dad has a stash of them.

The key is being able to cover the tree before removing it. That will eliminate most of your mess. You want some needles, though. Such a nice smell...

That or get an artifical (hey! some of them are quite nice nowdays)