Don't throw out Christmas trees

Run them through a chipper instead

January 8, 2006

DAWN DE BUSK\Frontiersman reporter

MAT-SU - That spruce tree for which Valley residents scouted through the woods could become a layer on a footpath at a north Eagle River Boy Scout camp. The Christmas tree that was trimmed and topped with a star could become mulch under the paws of a dog destined to be a star in a future Iditarod.

The Christmas tree-recycling program, sponsored by Anchorage-based Alaskans for Litter Prevention & Recycling, is continuing at Palmer and Eagle River Carrs stores, according to ALPAR executive director Mary Fisher.

It's not too late to grab that tree that was tossed into the yard, or take down trees still standing decorated in homes during the first week of January, and drop them off in the Palmer or Eagle River Carrs parking lot.

Rob Carter, who was contracted by ALPAR to turn trees into wood chips, said he won't bring his equipment to the Valley until the beginning of the work week, Monday or Tuesday.

Carter, who operates Last Frontier Tree Care in Anchorage, has been using his wood chipper in the evenings when there is less traffic in the parking lots.

Carrs has been the primary sponsor, allowing trees - sans tinsel - to be piled up in the store's parking lots in Anchorage, Eagle River and Palmer, she said.

ALPAR has been organizing the program since 1988, to give residents an opportunity to give live Christmas trees a second lease on life as wood chips in gardens and on pathways, Fisher said.

The wood chips gleaned from recycled trees will be delivered as mulch to the Chugiak Dog Mushers Association and to Chugiak Boy Scout camps to use for maintaining trails.