Department of Fish and Wildlife encourages people to drop off trees

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Christmas is over, meaning trees are coming down and the cleanup process has just begun.

With nearly 30 different drop-off locations, the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources encourages those with live, natural trees to recycle them. The collection process is ongoing until Jan. 15. 

Some of its drop-off sites include Lexington’s Jacobson Park, Louisville’s McNeely Lake and Richmond’s Neely Park. 

Jeff Crosby, biologist at Frankfort’s Central Fishery district, manages different lakes, rivers and aquatic wildlife in Kentucky. He has been with the department for more than 30 years and said residents can help the department refurbish the environment with Christmas trees.

Crosby added the department has collected nearly 32,000 trees since 2011. During the year, resources such as special food and treatments are placed in lakes; however, in February, fish and wildlife workers undergo a three to four-day process when they add 2,000 pounds of trees to state waterways. 

“There’s an occasional one that shows up [that] could be fairly large,” he said. “I think those are some of the trees that are out of places like churches … or the [state] Capitol.” 

The trees provide habitats and create special visibility conditions for fish in lakes, and custom-built boats help with the process. They are placed in smaller lakes that change less often, lasting anywhere from five to 10 years.

Because lake water levels fluctuate based on rain or droughts, the trees have to be dropped in specific locations for the fish to use. 

Crosby said donations have helped with the project each year. This year, many of the trees will be placed at Benjy Kinman Lake in Henry County.