By Debra Whitley

The Natchez Democrat

NATCHEZ — There may be more in store for your Christmas tree even though the holiday is over.

Residents in the Miss-Lou have several options for the disposal of the trees that once served as the center of their holiday decorations.

The Natchez National Historic Park is collecting trees to be recycled and mulched. Starting today, local residents can begin dropping off their Christmas trees at the parking lot located at 1 Melrose Montebello Parkway.

Trees can be donated any day between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Before discarding the trees, residents should make sure trees are free of stands, tinsel, lights and ornaments. Also, the trees should not be placed in plastic bags. The mulch collected from the trees will be used in the gardens of Melrose.

Vidalia Street and Sanitation Supertindent Lee Staggs said the City of Vidalia will continue its practice of picking up trees that residents leave curbside starting today. Trees will be collected every day of the week except Wednesdays to be taken to a woodchipper. Ornaments and other additional decoration accessories should be removed from the trees before placing them on the curb for pickup said Staggs.

Homeowners can also opt to discard trees on their own terms, Adams County Extension Service Agent David Carter said.

“With the proper machinery, homeowners can convert their Christmas trees into mulch to be placed around their home gardens,” Carter said.

Bark chips, small branches and pine needles can provide plants with a barrier and moisture, he said.

In addition to using these smaller parts of the Christmas trees as mulch, Carter suggested using the lumber of Christmas trees as firewood for fireplaces and campfires.

Christmas trees can also be returned to nature once their holiday purpose has been fulfilled.

Green Alliance Chair Jim Smith recommended placing trees in a local pond or lake.

“Those that fish can take a tree to his or her favorite fishing spot and place it in the shallow water to provide smaller fish with shelter,” Smith said.