EDITORIAL A GREEN POST-CHRISTMAS.

EVEN without a calendar, it would be easy to tell today's date just by looking at Los Angeles' streets.

Every January, as soon as the last echoes of ``Auld Lang Syne'' have petered out, many Angelenos dismantle their Christmas trees, haul them outside and drop them on the curb, where they sit. And sit. And then sit some more until neighbors can't stand the sight and dump the now-decomposing trees into their own trash bins. The trees clutter up the landfills, probably Sunshine Canyon near Granada Hills.

It doesn't have to be this way. The city of Los Angeles makes it easy to dispose of old Christmas trees - and in an earth-friendly way. Plus, you can get free stuff! What's not to love?

So tell your neighbors - you know the ones - that the city has opened 16 tree-recycling centers, and people who take the extra effort to bring in their old trees minus ornaments will get freebies: a pine-tree seedling, an energy-efficient light bulb and a coupon for a free 20-pound bag of mulch. It's not a Vegas jackpot, but the city's gardeners will love it.

Or they can cut the tree up and put in a green trash bin.

This year, spread the word: Recycling trees can be fun and profitable.