COLUMBUS, Ohio – As the holiday season comes to a close, Ohio residents can give their live-cut Christmas trees a second life by repurposing them to benefit local wildlife. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife encourages individuals to donate their trees, which will be transformed into valuable habitats for a variety of species.
Each year, recycled Christmas trees are placed at select wildlife areas and public lakes around the state. Bundled together and weighed down, the trees are sunk to the bottom of lakes, where they provide crucial cover for fish species such as crappie, bluegill, and largemouth bass. These submerged trees help create structure for baitfish, which attract sport fish, and decomposing trees also support the growth of zooplankton, a food source for aquatic invertebrates.
Anglers can target these areas, often productive for both panfish and larger predator species. An interactive lake map of these locations is available on wildohio.gov and the HuntFish OH mobile app.
But it’s not just aquatic animals that benefit from recycled trees. Live-cut Christmas trees can also be repurposed into brush piles for terrestrial wildlife. When placed in a desirable location and surrounded by other branches, trees provide shelter for small mammals like rabbits and chipmunks, as well as a haven for songbirds, including cardinals, chickadees, and wrens. These brush piles also offer shelter for overwintering insects such as bees, moths, and butterflies.
In addition to creating wildlife habitats, Christmas trees can also be recycled as compost or mulch. Several locations around Ohio are accepting trees for repurposing:
- Central Ohio: Morrow County Soil and Water Conservation District accepts trees at the Headwaters Outdoor Education Center until January 20, 2025.
- Northeast Ohio: The Mahoning County Green Team collects trees at designated drop-off sites until January 31, 2025. The Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office Community Service Program works with ODNR to repurpose trees for wildlife habitat.
- Southeast Ohio: The Athens-Hocking Solid Waste District is accepting trees until January 22, 2025. The trees will be used for fish habitat in coordination with ODNR. City of Athens residents can arrange pickup on Tuesdays and Fridays through January 31, 2025.
- Southwest Ohio: Trees can be dropped off at Caesar Creek State Park until January 19, 2025, and at Eastwood MetroPark in Dayton until January 28, 2025.
Residents are reminded to remove all decorations from their trees before recycling them, as tinsel, lights, and ornaments can be harmful to the environment and wildlife. Additionally, permission must be obtained before discarding trees on public or private property to avoid litter violations.
For more information on repurposing your tree or learning about Ohio’s wildlife, visit the ODNR website at ohiodnr.gov or follow the Division of Wildlife on Facebook and Instagram. The mission of the Division of Wildlife is to conserve and improve fish and wildlife resources and their habitats for sustainable use and appreciation.
