As you begin to take down your Christmas decorations, many people don’t know what to do with their once-live Christmas trees. Some people take them to the curb and let the garbage trucks take them to the landfill. What if there was a better choice? You can donate your Christmas tree for the good of Lake Conroe’s fish.
Why?
That is a great question! Why would the fish in Lake Conroe want Christmas trees in the water? When Lake Conroe was young, it had many fallen trees and brush in the water that created brush reefs for the smaller fish. Throughout the years, the trees and brush have decayed. So the San Jacinto River Authority (SJRA) together with the Texas Parks & Wildlife (TPWD) want to recreate brush reefs with used Christmas trees.
A brush reef provides protection for smaller, prey species of fish while also attracting the fish that seek to eat the others. Anglers want to catch the latter. Therefore, these brush reefs help the small fish and at the same time create hot spots for fishermen.
How?
Once you decide to donate your once-live Christmas tree, you need to take off all decorations. Needless to say, lights, ornaments, tinsel, and the stand must go. These of course will not help the fish nor the lake.
There are two donation sites. The most convenient one for Lake Conroe residents is at the West End of the Lake Conroe dam. The other one is in Harris County at the Highlands Reservoir. They are accepting tree donations through January 26th.
Where?
How will you know where the new brush reefs are? This can be helpful for fishermen or for anyone who just wants to see where their donated tree might have gone. The SJRA and TPWD will post the GPS coordinates for the new brush reefs. These reefs are expected to last for one to two years, which is why they collect tree donations every year. Watch a video to learn more.
Donate your Christmas tree for the good of Lake Conroe’s fish starting next week. Eliminate waste at the landfill while also helping create brush reefs in the lake. In my opinion, this program is the best way to dispose of your tree. It is a win-win for you and Lake Conroe’s fish.