Now that Christmas is over, for families who have purchased a live Christmas tree, there are a number of eco-friendly options for disposing of your tree.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is accepting real Christmas trees for recycling as fish habitat at J. Strom Thurmond Lake through Jan. 17. Hartwell Lake accepts real trees from December 26 through January 26. Artificial trees are not accepted.
All decorations, tinsel, lights, streamers, lamps, etc. must be removed from the trees prior to delivery. Dumping of wire frame wreaths, decorations, yard waste and household waste is prohibited.
“It must be a live Christmas tree, with no tinsel, ornaments, lights or decorations,” said David Quebedeaux, a park ranger with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. “Flocking is the white coating that is sometimes applied to older Christmas trees in an attempt to sell them. The pouring looks like snow. It’s just a huge mess and the fish don’t like it.”
Real trees can be dropped off at the following locations:
Georgia
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Big Oaks boat ramp (Hart County)
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Poplar Springs Boat Ramp (Franklin County)
South Carolina
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Twin Lakes boat ramp (Pickens County)
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Coneross boat ramp (Oconee County)
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Mount Lebanon Elementary School (Anderson County)
Habitat for aquatic animals
“On my end, one of the bigger opportunities is donating Christmas trees for fish habitat structure,” said Aaron Gray, fisheries biologist with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Division. “As reservoirs age, trees break down. As resource managers, we need to rebuild some of the aquatic habitat.”
Trees will be tied in bundles, weighted with concrete anchors and submerged at various locations marked with fish attractor buoys by Corps of Engineers personnel. This creates shelter and food for baitfish, which attract species of crappie, bass and sunfish. Ultimately, the recycled trees benefit both the fish and the fisherman.
For more information, contact Park Ranger Jason Corder at (706) 856-0332.
Additional tips from the Arbor Day Foundation:
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Evergreens tend to burn hot and fast, making them ideal for bonfires.
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Consider turning it into mulch or compost.
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Cut the trunk into 2.5 cm wooden coasters.
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Hang up bird feeders and transform it into a bird sanctuary.
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Wood ash contains nutrients. After you burn the tree, use the ashes in your garden.
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Cut the branches off your tree and place them on your garden bed. The branches protect your plants against winter freezes and spring thaws.
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If the needles are still green, strip the tree and store the needles in paper bags or pouches to use as an air freshener. The needles retain their scent and freshen your home all year round.
Wallace’s Farm
Wallace’s Farm, a traveling petting zoo, located in Hephzibah at 1898 Brown Rd., tract 2 welcomes Christmas trees after the holidays. “The goats eat them and I use them for the fire,” said Brandi Wallace, owner of Wallace’s Farm. “Christmas trees burn very well and quickly. There is no limit. I share them with farmer friends.”
For more information, contact Wallace’s Farm via email at WallacesFarm2018@gmail.com.
This reporting content is supported by a partnership with several funders and Journalism Funding Funding Partners.
Erica Van Buren is a climate change reporter for The Augusta Chronicle, part of the USA TODAY Network. Contact her at EVanBuren@gannett.com or at X: @EricaVanBuren32.
This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Consider a more environmentally friendly route to disposing of your Christmas tree
