As the Christmas season is coming to an end for most of us every year we wonder what we should do with the leftover Christmas tree.
One community in Schuylkill County is going ever green.
Once Christmas trees no longer have brightly-wrapped presents under them.
they are often put out for disposal.
In Tamaqua crews are thinking evergreen and recycling them.
"It saves valuable landfill space, plus the trees are biodegradable. It helps the environment, it provides habitat for small game. In general, it`s just a good idea," said Tamaqua Borough Manager Kevin Steigerwalt.
The borough has been recycling Christmas trees for years and officials try to make it easy for the community to give back to mother nature.
"The Christmas trees must be free of all decorations, tinsel, etcetera. They put them out on the curb, or they can drop them off at our street department garage and we go around throughout the month of January and pick them up," Steigerwalt added.
This year, once the trees are collected they are being taken to the Rabbit Run Reservoir, a borough owned recreation area maintained by volunteers.
"Well it helps us and it helps the habitat because they bring the trees out, and we have a grandfather and grandson who come out, because they like running beagles for training their beagles and they come out and drag the trees into the bush and it actually builds habitat for the animals," explained Jack Bowman of Rabbit Run Fish and Game.
Even though the Christmas trees will lose all their needles and turn brown, they are still green because they are back in the woods, providing habitat for wildlife.
"Well it gives them a place to hide from their predators. Squirrels like it, rabbits like it, ringnecks, all kinds of pheasants and stuff like it. It`s beneficial for any kind of animal that wants to use it for habitation," Bowman added.
Officials said the trees also eventually turn to mulch and replenish the forest.
Check with your municipality to see if similar programs are offered in your area.