Trees get useful burial in Lafourche

Before tossing those holiday decorations to the curb, Lafourche Parish residents are being asked to donate their Christmas trees to help fight coastal erosion.

Louisiana is losing approximately 25 to 35 square miles of land each year, and the highest rate of land loss occurs in the Tri-parish area, according to Parish Coastal Energy and Environment Director Nicholas Matherne.

To help restore the coast and lessen the impact of erosion, Lafourche participates in an annual Christmas tree recycling program. Matherne said the parish supports the effort with a grant from the state Office of Coastal Protection and Restoration, which has been awarded yearly since 1991.

Discarded trees will be moved to the cribs behind the protection levee in Golden Meadow, about two miles north of the boat launch and near Port Fourchon. Les Reflections du Bayou, a non-profit coastal preservation agency, has been contracted to maintain the crib.

Matherne, who serves on the agency’s board, said as the trees decompose, more are added. The recycling process is easy, and the trees act as a filter, he explained.

“What happens is the water in this area has suspended sediment,” said Matherne. “The cribs are placed in locations to let waves pass through the trees. As the water comes back out, the trees trap the sediment behind the crib. Once the sediment is behind the crib, you have about 4 or 5 feet of sediment to build up the land.”

Les Reflections du Bayou annually surveys the project and submits its findings to the state. The tree-recycling program is one way residents can help ensure the coast’s wellbeing for future generations.

To participate, simply place discarded Christmas trees curbside, separate from garbage and trash items. The trees will be picked up Thursday through Saturday and again on Jan. 14, 15 and 16. All trees should be bare, and only green trees will be collected; no flocked or artificial trees will be accepted.

Residents can also drop off trees at one of the parish’s three collection sites: Thibodaux, Central Lafourche or South Lafourche high schools.

Any tree pickup after Jan. 16 or any tree that is not recyclable will be collected in the regular trash.

For more information about the program, contact the parish at (985) 632-4666.

Community volunteers help transport recycled Christmas trees to one of the man-made tree cribs in Lafourche Parish. The cribs trap sediment to help rebuild the land in Lafourche. * Photo courtesy of LAFOURCHE PARISH GOVERNMENT