Tree recycling

For many, the magic of Christmas is finding that perfect tree to decorate with their family.

Long after the last of the presents have been unwrapped, your Christmas tree can now go on to serve another purpose..

The Royal Botanical Gardens is collecting Christmas tree donations to build a habitat for fish and wildlife.

The RBG is fighting a long-standing battle against pollution and the common carp, an invasive fish species that wreaks havok for the native wildlife. “These Christmas trees create a foundation again for riverbank, and they double as a carp barrier.” says RBG spokesperson, Tys TheYsmeYer.

The trees are made of the perfect material to keep unwanted carp out, while still allowing smaller creatures through.

While a Christmas tree may live in your home for about a month, as part of a barrier in the creek it could live on for another 5 years, giving it a purpose more valuable than decoration.

The Royal Botanical Gardens is asking you drop of your tree stripped of any decorations at either Princess Point, or at Valley Inn.

This year The RBG has set a hefty goal of over 300 thousand donated Christmas trees, but they’re only at 400 so far. They’re collecting trees from now until January 12th.