When the presents are opened and the Nativity scene packed away until next year, families with cut, real Christmas trees will be looking for ways to dispose of their evergreen. While a city landfill or waste management site might be a logical answer, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has other ideas.
Steve “Wildman” Wilson, public affairs coordinator for AGFC, said there are several things people can do over the next few months to utilize their old Christmas trees.
“You’ve got to get rid of your Christmas tree one way or another,” he said. “We’ve got a few suggestions.”
The first suggestion is to mulch the trees. This gets it broken down easily, and then that mulch can be used in a number of different ways.
One use for an old tree people might not think about is as a habitat for birds in the yard.
“You can lay them out by the bird feeders,” Wilson said. “They make great shelter for the birds when it’s cold out.”
Of course, some people may not want to leave their trees in the yard, especially as it starts to age. For fishermen, that Christmas tree could continue to work beyond being a place for Santa to place the family’s gifts.
Sinking old Christmas trees into your favorite fishing area is a great way to utilize the tree for the rest of the year, Wilson said. Trees in local lakes will act as havens for fish, and it can be a great way to predict where you might find a catch or two when fishing fever comes around.
“Just remember where you put them,” Wilson said. “The little fish go in there and hide from the big fish. We encourage fishermen to get what they need [of the trees] for the next few weeks and go out to start the process.”
Wilson suggested tying the tree to a cinder block to ensure it stays in the same place. He also said to sink the trees so they are standing up, which will help bring the fish closer to the surface.
“It’s making an investment now for this spring,” he said.
Many types of fish will utilize these shelters throughout the spring, and the trees will last for several years as fish habitats.
“These trees are some of the best natural forms of underwater structure. Crappie, bass, bluegills and other fish will often use the trees to hide in and around,” Ben Batten, AGFC community fisheries biologist, said in a press release. “More importantly, their limbs offer something to fish of all shapes and sizes.”
Christmas tree drop-off locations will be available immediately after Christmas. In the River Valley & Ozark Edition coverage area, the Lawrence Landing access at Lake Conway is one drop-off location. There are several drop-off locations at Greers Ferry Lake, including Sandy Beach in Heber Springs and Devils Fork Recreation Area, as well as Choctaw Recreation Area in the Choctaw and Clinton area. Other drop-off locations include Chittman Hill Access at Harris Brake Lake, Lake Overcup Landing at Lake Overcup and near the boat ramp access at Lake Willastein in Maumelle.
For more information on how to use discarded Christmas trees or other tree drop-off locations, visit agfc.com or call the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission at (800) 364-GAME.
Staff writer Angela Spencer can be reached at (501) 244-4307 or aspencer@arkansasonline.com.