Christmas trees helping to restore Lafourche coastline

Lafourche Parish is offering curbside collection of natural Christmas trees from Thursday, Jan. 8, through Saturday, Jan. 10, and Thursday, Jan.15, through Saturday, Jan. 17.

The program, sponsored by Lafourche Parish Coastal Zone Management, Lafourche Parish Schools and S.W.D.I, uses the trees to help stem coastal erosion.

Residents should place the trees curbside during the pickup period, separated from the garbage and trash items. The trees need to be bare-no ornaments, flocking, tinsel or stands.

Artificial tress will not be picked up as part of the program.

Any tree placed curbside in Lafourche Parish after Jan. 17 will be picked up with the regular garbage and not recycled, officials said.

Residents can also drop off trees at Central Lafourche, South Lafourche and Thibodaux high schools.

Terrebonne Parish is not offering Christmas tree recycling this year. The parish’s Christmas tree cribs, wooden frames holding the trees that allow water to pass through, were damaged by the recent hurricanes, said parish Coastal Restoration and Preservation Director Leslie Suazo.

She said that hopefully the parish can offer the service next year.

St. Mary Parish officials could not be contacted about the Christmas tree recycling program.