CAPE GIRARDEAU SITE TO DROP OFF CHRISTMAS TREES OPEN THROUGH JAN. 30

The stack of Christmas trees in the southeast corner of Arena Park in Cape Girardeau is growing larger.

The area, marked off with ropes, is the drop-off point for old Christmas trees, and will remain open through Jan. 30.

The special site opened Dec. 20 to allow some tree vendors to drop off trees which didn't sell.

Cape Girardeans can haul its trees to the site in Arena Park, at Spartech and Optimist Drive. The trees will be used for fish habitat in area ponds and lakes or ground into landscaping mulch that will be made available to residents. Some trees are used to make soil erosion barriers along river banks.

Cape Girardeau residents may request a special pickup for their trees. Trees can be picked up at curbside for $5.

Residents must call the solid-waste division of the public works department at 334-9151 for pickup. The first Wednesday pickup of trees will be Jan. 9.