The 24th annual tree recycling event

Hardy Realty - Rome

Rome and Floyd County officials said Friday there are plenty of different ways to dispose of unwanted Christmas trees — a few that turn the trees into homes for local aquatic wildlife.

Mary Hardin Thornton, executive director of Keep Rome Floyd Beautiful, said trees dropped off at The Home Depot in Rome on Jan. 3 will be picked up by local fishermen to make fish beds in local waterways.

The 24th annual tree recycling event will be from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. at The Home Depot, 103 Hicks Drive.

Tree donors will each be given a tree seedling from the Georgia Forestry Commission and seed packets from Ferry-Morse Seed Co.

“All of the trees that get donated end up being used to make beds in the rivers, lakes and ponds,” said Thornton. “So we just tell people they can bring one for the fish.”

Trees donated through the program that aren’t picked up are mulched to be used for playgrounds, local government beautification projects and individual yards.

Thornton said that last year locally, more than 100 trees were recycled through the program and used by local fishermen.

This year, Thornton predicted around 300 trees will be dropped off after the holidays.

“We will have an early drop off area at the Home Depot roped off so that people can donate their trees, so I’m assuming we’ll have a lot more this year,” she said. “But unfortunately people who drop off early won’t be able to get a seedling.”

Additionally, Floyd County residents will be able to drop off their trees at all of the remote dumping sites until Jan. 8, according to Michael Skeen, the county’s Public Works director.

“Workers at the remotes sites put the trees aside and local fishermen pick them up,” said Skeen. “They usually end up coming and getting the trees in the next couple weeks, taking what they need.

Any leftover trees at the dumpsites will be delivered to Keep Rome Floyd Beautiful, said Skeen.

“But normally they’re all gone,” Skeen added.

Thornton added that Rome residents can also push their trees out to the curb for pickup.

“Undecorate it and get it out there,” said Thornton. “Someone is waiting to get it.”

Rome and Floyd County officials said Friday there are plenty of different ways to dispose of unwanted Christmas trees — a few that turn the trees into homes for local aquatic wildlife.

Mary Hardin Thornton, executive director of Keep Rome Floyd Beautiful, said trees dropped off at The Home Depot in Rome on Jan. 3 will be picked up by local fishermen to make fish beds in local waterways.

The 24th annual tree recycling event will be from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. at The Home Depot, 103 Hicks Drive.

Tree donors will each be given a tree seedling from the Georgia Forestry Commission and seed packets from Ferry-Morse Seed Co.

“All of the trees that get donated end up being used to make beds in the rivers, lakes and ponds,” said Thornton. “So we just tell people they can bring one for the fish.”

Trees donated through the program that aren’t picked up are mulched to be used for playgrounds, local government beautification projects and individual yards.

Thornton said that last year locally, more than 100 trees were recycled through the program and used by local fishermen.

This year, Thornton predicted around 300 trees will be dropped off after the holidays.

“We will have an early drop off area at the Home Depot roped off so that people can donate their trees, so I’m assuming we’ll have a lot more this year,” she said. “But unfortunately people who drop off early won’t be able to get a seedling.”

Additionally, Floyd County residents will be able to drop off their trees at all of the remote dumping sites until Jan. 8, according to Michael Skeen, the county’s Public Works director.

“Workers at the remotes sites put the trees aside and local fishermen pick them up,” said Skeen. “They usually end up coming and getting the trees in the next couple weeks, taking what they need.

Any leftover trees at the dumpsites will be delivered to Keep Rome Floyd Beautiful, said Skeen.

“But normally they’re all gone,” Skeen added.

Thornton added that Rome residents can also push their trees out to the curb for pickup.

“Undecorate it and get it out there,” said Thornton. “Someone is waiting to get it.”

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