If you are like me, after the holidays, there’s the sad task of taking down your decorations, and putting the dried out tree out for the yard waste collection. But if you live near the coast, your tree may be able to have a new life, helping build up the beach. Where my parents live on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, many towns accept natural Christmas trees (with decorations removed) to place near the dunes and help trap sand. Because the trees are made of natural materials, they can build up the beaches and dunes and provide habitat for wildlife. These tree recycling programs exist in many locations along the coast of the United States, including North Carolina, Connecticut, Louisiana and many other coastal cities and towns. Check with your local coastal management program or town to see how you might be able to give your tree a new purpose! – Beth Sciaudone, DTC Civil Water Resources & Environmental Instructor
