Live Christmas trees accepted at local lakes

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Christmas tree sales
Christmas trees on sale at AB Hatchery in Bloomington in 2014.
  • Photo: Facebook/AB Hatchery


Are you ready to dispose of your live Christmas tree? The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is collecting the trees to be used as fish habitat in local lakes.

The trees must have lights, ornaments, and tinsel removed. Wreaths and garlands will not be accepted. IDNR says the trees create habitat for multiple fish species and promote algae growth for insects that attract fish for anglers. The trees will naturally decompose over time.

Drop-Off Dates County Recreation Area Drop Off Location
Dec. 26-Jan. 5 Clinton Carlyle Lake Dam East boat ramp Place trees at Dam East Access Area Road.
Dec. 28-Jan. 19 Fayette Ramsey Lake State Recreation Area Place trees at designated area near boat ramp.
Dec. 28-Jan. 19 Jasper Newton State Fish and Wildlife Area Place trees at designated area on northwest side of the parking lot near boat ramp.
Dec. 28-Jan. 19 Jasper Sam Parr State Fish and Wildlife Area Place trees in designated area near southwest boat ramp.
Dec. 28-Jan. 19 Lawrence Red Hills State Park  
Dec. 28-Jan. 19 Marion City of Centralia, Public Works Building Place trees near the south gate at 114 E. Fifth St.
Dec. 28-Jan. 19 Marion Stephen A. Forbes State Recreation Area Place trees near in the designated area near the boat ramp.
Dec. 26-Mar. 1 Moultrie Howy’s Lakeside Gas Station Place trees in the designated area northwest corner of parking lot.
Dec. 28-Jan. 19 Richland Olney Municipal Parking Lot Place trees in designated area northeast corner of parking lot.
Dec. 26-Mar. 1 Shelby Johnstowne Mall Place trees in designated area northwest corner of parking lot.
Dec. 26-Jan. 31 Coles Lake Mattoon Marina Place trees in designated area across from the marina.
Dec. 26-Jan. 5 Stephenson Lake Le-Aqua-Na State Park Follow signage on North Lake Road to drop-off location.
Dec. 28-Jan. 19 Wabash Beall Woods State Park Place trees in designated area near the boat ramp.
Dec. 28-Jan. 19 Wayne Sam Dale State Fish and Wildlife Area Place trees in designated area near the boat ramp.

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Reginald Hardwick

Reginald Hardwick is the News & Public Affairs Director at Illinois Public Media. He oversees daily newscasts and online stories. He also manages The 21st Show, a live, weekday talk show that airs on six NPR stations throughout Illinois. He is the executive producer of IPM's annual environmental TV special "State of Change." And he is the co-creator of Illinois Soul, IPM's Black-focused audio service that launched in February 2024. Before arriving at IPM in 2019, he served as News Director at WKAR in East Lansing and spent 17 years as a TV news producer and manager at KXAS, the NBC-owned station in Dallas/Fort Worth. Reginald is the recipient of three Edward R. Murrow regional awards, seven regional Emmy awards, and multiple honors from the National Association of Black Journalists. Born in Vietnam, Reginald grew up in Colorado and is a graduate of the University of Northern Colorado. Email: rh14@illinois.edu Twitter: @RNewsIPM