EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was originally published on the Ohio Department of Natural Resources website.
COLUMBUS — After the holidays, live-cut Christmas trees can be repurposed as habitat for various species of animals, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.
Before you discard your tree, remember that it can find life after the holidays for Ohio’s birds, fish, mammals, and more.
Each winter, recycled live-cut Christmas trees are donated to the Division of Wildlife and placed at select wildlife areas and public lakes around Ohio.
The trees are bundled together and weighed down so they sink to the bottom of lakes, attracting fish and providing cover. Many species are attracted to this dense cover, including crappie, bluegill, and largemouth bass.
An interactive lake map showing where trees are placed to attract fish is available at wildohio.gov and on the HuntFish OH mobile app. Anglers can target these spots, which are often productive for both panfish and their larger predators.
Sunken trees provide structure for baitfish, which attract sport fish. Decomposing trees also feed zooplankton, which provide food for aquatic invertebrates and attract larger fish.
Private pond owners may also want to consider repurposing trees to add habitat to their ponds.
A live-cut Christmas tree can also be recycled as the centerpiece of a wildlife-friendly brush pile.
Place the tree in a desirable location and layer limbs around it in a square arrangement. Cover the top with additional brush to create a unique and valuable shelter for small animals.
Songbirds including cardinals, chickadees, titmice, nuthatches, and wrens travel in and out of brush piles for food, nesting, and to escape predators. Small mammals such as rabbits and chipmunks also use brush piles for shelter and raising young.
Brush piles are valuable shelter for overwintering insects like bees, moths, and butterflies, as well.
Live-cut Christmas trees are also useful as compost, mulch, and more. Here are some options for your live-cut Christmas tree following the holidays:
Central Ohio
The Morrow County Soil and Water Conservation District accepts live-cut trees to benefit wildlife at the Headwaters Outdoor Education Center, 151 Home Road, Mount Gilead, until Jan. 20, 2025.
Before repurposing or disposing of a live-cut Christmas tree, remember to remove all trimmings including tinsel, garland, lights, and ornaments as these can be harmful to the environment and wildlife.
Please obtain proper permission before discarding your tree on public or private property. Discarding trees without permission could result in a litter violation.
Interested in learning more about the fish and wildlife near you?
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