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The West Point Lake Project Management Office said in a press release that it will begin accepting unwanted, live Christmas trees for recycling from Dec. 26, 2023, until Jan. 9, 2024, at three drop-off sites around West Point Lake. Artificial trees will not be accepted.

The Drop-off locations are 1. Yellowjacket Boat Ramp, Sunny Point Boat Ramp and Rocky Point Boat Ramp.

Decorations, including tinsel, lights, garland, bulbs, and artificial snow, must be removed before tree disposal. Trees should be placed in the designated areas within the parking lots. Dumping household trash at these sites is prohibited.

Park rangers will use the trees to create brush piles in the lake to improve fish habitats.

Individuals who wish to place their own Christmas trees in the lake are reminded to avoid placing them in boating channels and to follow the guidelines below:

4 Do not place the trees where they could become safety hazards to boaters or swimmers.

4 Use a suitable anchoring system to prevent the trees from floating away or moving around. A cement block will work well as an anchor for one or two trees. It must be securely fastened to the tree using nylon twine or a similar material.

4 Trees will attract more fish if they are placed in deeper water and in an area where the water depth changes significantly, such as near an underwater ridge or hump.