BOARDMAN, Ohio – Live-cut Christmas trees can be repurposed as habitat for various species of animals by dropping them off at designated sites determined by the Mahoning County Green Team.
Trees can help birds, fish, mammals and more, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife.
In Mahoning County, cut trees can be placed curbside with recycling. They will also be collected at the sites below and reused as natural fish habitat at area lakes. Remove all decorations before dropping off. Hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday through Jan. 31 at these locations:
- Austintown: Austintown Township Park, 6000 Kirk Road.
- Beloit Village: Village Park, 17910 E. Fifth St.
- Berlin Township: Berlin Township Building, 15823 W. Akron-Canfield Road.
- Campbell: Salt Dome, Warhurst Road.
- Canfield Township: Fire station, 5007 Messerly Road.
- Craig Beach: Fire station, 1979 Grandview Road.
- Ellsworth Township: Fire station, 6036 S. Salem-Warren Road.
- Goshen Township: Maintenance Garage, 12649 Seacrist Road.
- Green Township: Cemetery at state Route 165 and Beaver Creek Road.
- Jackson Township: Township Building, 10613 Mahoning Ave.
- Lowellville Village: Street Department, 3 W. McGaffney.
- New Middletown/Springfield: Recycling Center, 10720 Struthers Road.
- Poland Township: Poland Township Park, 7400 Moore Road.
- Struthers: Trees will be picked up at the curb.
- Youngstown: CCA (former South Branch Library), 1771 Market St.
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.
Pictured at top: In this file photo provided by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife, recycled Christmas trees are prepared to be sunk in Berlin Lake.