Eco-Friendly Ways to Dispose of Your Christmas Tree This Year
Explore eco-friendly options for recycling your Christmas tree after the holidays
Christmas Tree, Recycling, Georgia, South Carolina, Eco-Friendly
Augusta: Now that the holiday season is over, many families are left wondering what to do with their live Christmas trees. Luckily, there are some great eco-friendly options to consider.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is accepting real Christmas trees for recycling at J. Strom Thurmond Lake until January 17. If you’re near Hartwell Lake, you can drop off your tree there until January 26. Just remember, they only take real trees, not artificial ones.
Before you drop off your tree, make sure to remove all decorations, tinsel, and lights. They can’t accept any wireframe wreaths or household trash either. Park ranger David Quebedeaux emphasized that the trees need to be free of any flocking, which is that snowy coating some trees have. It can be a hassle and isn’t good for the fish.
If you’re looking for drop-off locations, here are a few in Georgia: Big Oaks boat ramp in Hart County and Poplar Springs boat ramp in Franklin County. In South Carolina, you can take your tree to Twin Lakes boat ramp in Pickens County, Coneross boat ramp in Oconee County, or Mount Lebanon Elementary School in Anderson County.
Donating your tree can also help create fish habitats. Aaron Gray, a fisheries biologist, mentioned that as reservoirs age, they need new structures for fish. The trees will be bundled and submerged to provide shelter and food for fish like crappie and bass.
For more info, you can reach out to Park Ranger Jason Corder at (706) 856-0332.
And if you’re looking for more ideas, the Arbor Day Foundation has some great tips. You could turn your tree into mulch, make coasters from the trunk, or even hang bird feeders to create a little sanctuary.
Wallace’s Farm, a petting zoo in Hephzibah, also welcomes Christmas trees. The owner, Brandi Wallace, says the goats love to munch on them, and they make great firewood too. She’s happy to take as many as you can bring!
For more details about Wallace’s Farm, you can email them at WallacesFarm2018@gmail.com.
This article is part of a partnership with various funders and Journalism Funding Partners.
Erica Van Buren is the climate change reporter for The Augusta Chronicle, part of the USA TODAY Network. You can connect with her at EVanBuren@gannett.com or on X: @EricaVanBuren32.
This originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Consider a more eco-friendly route for disposing of your Christmas tree.