By Kirra Cox, Features Editor
Every year, as the Christmas season winds to a close, millions of Americans are left with decorated trees still shining in their living rooms. Out of the nearly 30 million that are purchased each winter, almost all will end up discarded or in landfills. But what if some of those old trees could be recycled and repurposed – and used to protect our shores?
On the OBX, projects like these have been in place for many years.
Better Beaches OBX, Jockey’s Ridge and the Town of Kitty Hawk have all helped to facilitate the repurposing of old Christmas trees. The placement of these trees on sand dunes and beaches helps to lock sand in and keep dunes secure and in place. With the rapid increase of coastal erosion and the importance of sand dunes here on the OBX, these projects have proven to be incredibly impactful.
Willie Midgett, the director of public works for the Town of Kitty Hawk, said that Christmas tree repurposing programs have shown many positive results.
“Almost the entirety of Kitty Hawk beaches have discarded Christmas trees,” Midgett said. “The trees did exactly what they were supposed to do. They caught plenty of sand, which allowed the dunes to build, adding height and width to the dune line.”
The program has been so successful, in fact, that the town has been forced to scale down its tree implantation this year: “Due to the success of the program, we do not have as many areas in need of the trees,” Midgett said. “We will still be using them on the south end of town, though.”
Jockey’s Ridge State Park has also utilized discarded trees to reinforce its dunes. With tree donations from Better Beaches and volunteers from the park and the Outer Banks Woman’s Club, the ridge has seen positive results.
“Last year we installed about 150 trees,” said Austin Paul, a park ranger at Jockey’s Ridge. “The year before that we installed about 130. We place them on the ridgetop of our dune area and over time that helps to collect and slow down the movement of sand.”
The unique practice of repurposing Christmas trees was pioneered in a North Carolina town. Fort Macon State Park in Atlantic Beach began implanting trees after Hurricane Hazel in 1964, hoping to reduce Christmas tree waste and rebuild dune damage. The practice gradually spread to dunes and coastlines across the country.
The NC Division of Coastal Management even has specific guidance for towns and property owners when it comes to putting Christmas trees on the beach. In addition to obvious details like all the decorations being removed and not blocking beach access, the trees “should be placed at the toe of the frontal dune or erosion escarpment.” They also should be angled no less than 45 degrees to the shoreline and should be at least seven feet apart from other trees or existing sand fencing.
So, how can you help keep this tradition alive? After marveling at your twinkling Christmas tree over the holidays, what can you do with it at the end of the season instead of throwing it away?
In order to help facilitate the beach nourishment programs here on the OBX, donating your tree to one of the groups that use Christmas trees could be a way for you to give back to your community and help the environment in a small but important way.
To donate your tree to Better Beaches OBX, which collects and distributes trees to different conservation groups, you can email them at BBOBXfriends@gmail.com to find drop-off information. Your tree could end up in Jockey’s Ridge, keeping the dunes strong and alive, or somewhere else useful. Residents also can check with town and county officials about ways to donate.
For the Town of Kitty Hawk’s renovation projects, Midgett said that there is more than one way to donate.
“Kitty Hawk residents can drop off their old trees at the Kitty Hawk Bath House,” Midgett said. “Residents can also leave them by the curb and the town will collect them.”
Senior Kirra Cox can be reached at coxki8553@daretolearn.org.
