CHRISTMAS TREE RECYCLING BENEFITS THE ENVIRONMENT

You've thrown out the empty boxes, crumpled wrapping paper and exchanged a few gifts. But what do you do with the Christmas tree after it's stripped of ornaments, lights and tinsel?

Cape Girardeau residents can recycle their Christmas trees through Jan. 31 at a drop-off site in Arena Park. Directional signs are posted in the park showing residents where to place their trees.

Residents who cannot drop off their tree, can call the Public Works Department for pickup. There is a $5 fee per tree for the service. Call 334-9151 to make arrangements for the Wednesday curbside pickup.

Pam Sander of the Public Works Department, said it's hard to even guess how many trees will be recycled through the annual program. But for every tree recycled, it means less waste going to a landfill.

"Landfill diversion, that's our main goal," she said.

And with millions of Christmas trees being harvested each year, that's good news. Statistics show that for every tree cut, two or three trees are planted in its place among the nation's Christmas tree farms.

Recycling the trees helps the environment by lessening waste and creating habitat for wildlife.

Birds will nest in trees left to lay in yards, particularly if a feeder is nearby. But birds aren't the only ones to benefit. Fish will also be protected by the trees used in lakes and ponds.

The Missouri Department of Conservation will use some of the trees recycled in Cape Girardeau for habitat in ponds and lakes throughout Southeast Missouri. Young fish are protected from larger predators in the branches of the trees, which also make great breeding grounds.

Sometimes the city gets a call for pickup in July or August, Sander said. "It's just lain there and nobody wants to move it."

Other trees will be ground into mulch for residential use later in the year.