Rob Morgan says he found about 80 bags of bin bags filled with the remnants of cannabis plants.
Dylan McNamara appears at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court to plead guilty to criminal damage.
A Christmas tree replacing one which was deliberately felled is planted in Shotton Colliery.
Sue Ryder, which runs the Thorpe Hall Hospice, says 56 volunteers took part in the scheme.
West Midlands charities' kerbside Christmas tree recycling schemes have raised more than ever.
St Giles Hospice says it was its most successful year yet, with thousands of real trees collected.
More than 3,500 people have donated their trees in Warwickshire.
Arthur Rank Hospice says it has collected about 4,000 Christmas trees to raise money.
Goat brothers Boomer, Dingle, Tootle and Tumble help recycle Christmas trees by eating them.
