SE Valley Times

Gilbert, Ariz. – Soon your old Christmas tree could be sleeping with the fishes.

Gilbert has partnered with the Arizona Game and Fish Department to collect old Christmas trees and create a new home for the fish in Roosevelt Lake.

The town hopes to collect 600 live Christmas trees at drop-off locations around the community to be hauled off to Roosevelt Lake, tied to a cinder block and dropped into the water at select locations in the lake.

The Christmas tree donation program is part of the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Aquatic Habitat Program which is designed to help improve fish habitats and the overall ecosystem of local reservoirs.

Gilbert is also partnering with a local non-profit, Goats With Horns Animal Sanctuary, to turn another 10 Christmas into goat food.

To be accepted, all donated trees must be:

• Real – no artificial trees will be accepted
• Unbagged
• Free of all decorations – no lights, hooks or tree stands

Drop off your old Christmas tree at one of our collection locations by January 14.

Hetchler Park

• 4260 S. Greenfield Road
• December 25 – January 14
• Daily from  5:30 AM – 10:00 PM

Freestone Park - Overflow Parking Lot

• 1141 E. Guadalupe Road - West of Pickle Ball Courts
• December 25 – January 14
• Daily from 5:30 AM – 10:00 PM

Sunbelt Rentals (Formerly A to Z Equipment)

• 1313 E. Baseline Road
• December 26 – January 7
• Monday – Saturday (Closed Sunday) | 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that Americans generate 25% more waste during the holidays, an additional one million tons per week. Donating your tree will help Gilbert reduce the amount of waste we generate over the holidays.

Find more ways to reduce waste at gilbertaz.gov/HolidayRecycling.

Christmas Tree Safety Tips

A live Christmas tree can be a potential fire hazard, especially if it dries out.

Follows these tips from the Gilbert Fire & Rescue Department to keep your family safe while you’re decking the halls.

• Cut the tree about two inches from the base of the trunk before placing it in the stand. This helps it absorb water and helps extend the life of the tree.
• Choose a tree stand that holds water and water the tree daily. 
• Place the tree at least three feet away from any heat source, like fireplaces, radiators, candles, heat vents or lights.
• Make sure the tree is not blocking an exit.

Original source can be found here.