Christmas trees are synonymous with the Christmas season. But homeowners who prefer live Christmas trees must determine how to dispose of their tree once the season is over.
Murilo Morato, a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Agriculture (UF/IFAS) and Natural Resources Extension agent in Escambia County, advises that trees can be a given a second life by repurposing it for the benefit of the environment and community.
He noted that in a blog post, an eco-friendly way to recycle Christmas trees is using them to enhance aquatic habitats. A submerged Christmas tree in a pond or lake can create critical habitat for fish, support aquatic ecosystems and improve biodiversity.
For those who prefer to discard their trees in ponds, there are steps they must consider.
- Remove all ornaments and decorations from the tree to avoid introducing synthetic materials into the water.
- Secure the trunk to a cement block or set in a bucket filled with concrete to ensure the tree sinks.
- Submerge the tree in parts of the pond that are deep enough to fully cover it.
- Inspect submerged trees periodically for structural integrity, as they might need to be adjusted over time to maintain effectiveness.
The branching of coniferous trees provides shelter for prey fish and creates a refuge from predators. The presence of submerged trees enhances fish species diversity, richness and abundance over time.