Recycled holiday tree provides gift to community

Holiday trees are one of the most recognized traditions of the holiday season. But what happens now that the holiday season has ended?

Most people simply throw their holiday tree away. Yet when they are chipped into mulch, they become a valuable resource. This mulch is used in public gardens and parks throughout the valley to help conserve soil moisture and keep plants healthy.

University of Nevada Cooperative Extension has been involved with the Southern Nevada Christmas Tree Recycling Committee for 11 years.

The committee, consisting of local government agencies, volunteers and business entities, is asking Southern Nevadans to give their community a gift and recycle their holiday trees this year.

There are no fees to participate in this community effort; just a short amount of time is all that is required. Residents, businesses and organizations are asked to take their holiday trees to one of more than 22 drop sites through Jan. 15.

Before dropping off the tree, all nonorganic objects such as lights, wire, tinsel, ornaments and nails should be removed. Foreign objects contaminate the mulch and damage the chipper. Flocked trees cannot be recycled.

For more information, visit www.unce.unr.edu/counties/clark; call Angela O’Callaghan at 702-257-5581; or email ocallaghana@unce.unr.edu.