Christmas Trees Can Serve Another Purpose

By Alyssa Schnugg
News Editor
alyssa.schnugg@hottytoddy.com

Christmas trees are staked down into the lake to provide habitats for fish.
Photo provided by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Vicksburg District

With all of the gift wrappings and other trash accumulated over the Christmas weekend being picked up by Oxford’s Environmental Services, there is one more item that needs to be hauled to the curb.

It’s almost time to say goodbye to O Tannenbaum — the family Christmas tree.

Trees can be taken to the curb to be collected on Jan. 2 and then on regular rubbish (yard waste) collection days.

“People can put their trees down where their rubbish is usually collected during their regular rubbish collection days, other than next Monday,” said Michelle Robinson with Oxford Recycling.

Next week’s rubbish collection (for New Year’s) will be on Wednesday.

The trees should free of lights and decorations.

The trees are picked up and then the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers collects them up to take them out to the lakes.

The trees will be stored until Habitat Day on Feb. 2, where volunteers will come together to unload the discarded trees and put them in various spots in Enid Lake to create fish habitats. The trees are staked down to keep them in place, where they will become new spawning areas and homes for fish.

Cedar and discarded Christmas trees are used to construct fish shelters in targeted areas. The actual placement of fish shelters is accomplished by interested volunteers who donate their time and equipment. They drag the trees with ATV’s and anchor them with concrete blocks and other weights along creek beds and other designated areas.

Restoration of the fish habitat is very important to the future fisheries at Enid Lake, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Enid Lake’s website.

Fish use these shelters for various reasons: cover, areas to feed, and for a place to spawn. Also restoring the habitat can increase the health and populations of fish. According to studies performed by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, the restoration program has shown enormous benefits to the fish and habitat in Enid Lake.

For those living in the county or who want to take their trees directly to the U.S. Army Corps, Christmas trees, free of lights and decorations, can be brought to Enid Lake McCurdy Point boat ramp. At the top of the hill, coming into McCurdy, there is a grassy area on the left. Trees can be placed along the road.

For more information on Habitat Day or the fish habitat Christmas tree program, call the Enid office at 662-232-2745.