(Photo courtesy of Lake County Forest Preserves)
Keeping the holiday decorations up through the first week of January is pretty common. But when you start to see your real Christmas tree start to shed, then at least that part of the holiday décor needs to change.
Ta Da… Fortunately the Lake County Forest Preserves has a solution: its website notes say “Recycle for a greener tomorrow” and “Turn Your Holiday Tree into Trails.”
Instead of putting it out to go to the local landfill, drop it off at one of these eight designated LCFP sites: where the trees will be turned into wood chips used for trails and other forest preserve landscaping projects. Just remember to take off the decorations and tinsel first. By the way, the LCFP has been recycling the real holiday trees for about 20 years.
The drop-off sites: (open 6:30 am–sunset daily, through February 1, 2024). Note: this offer is not for yard waste or commercial drop-offs.
Grant Woods Forest Preserve, 25405 W. Monaville Road, Ingleside
Greenbelt Forest Preserve, 1110 Green Bay Road, North Chicago
Half Day Forest Preserve, 24255 Milwaukee Ave., Vernon Hills
Heron Creek Forest Preserve, 22890 N. Old McHenry Road, Lake Zurich
Lakewood Forest Preserve, 27277 Forest Preserve Road, Wauconda
Old School Forest Preserve, 28285 St. Mary’s Road, Mettawa
Ryerson Conservation Area 21950 N. Riverwoods Road, Riverwoods
Van Patten Woods Forest Preserve, 15838 W. Route 173, Wadsworth
Interesting Note: Most of the trees are mulched for trails but some are used to create “fish cribs.” These are when several trees are tied together and sunk with a cinderblock in the larger lakes, particularly those that were formerly gravel quarries because they lack substantial underwater vegetation. The fish cribs serve as crucial habitats.
Jodie Jacobs