Arkansas Game and Fish Commission

If you’re still trying to figure out what to do with your Christmas tree now that it’s lived out its holiday purpose, there are a few options available in Fayetteville.

Compost – Curbside pickup

The easiest choice is to simply place your live tree by the curb next to your trash cart and recycling bin. Crews will collect trees for free on the same day as your trash and recycling through the month of January. You’ll have to remove all plastic bags, stands, decorations, lights, and tinsel before they will be collected. No artificial trees will be collected for composting.

Compost – Drop-off

If your tree is in a business and you don’t have curbside pickup, or if you miss the January deadline, trees can also be dropped off for free at the city’s composting facility, 1708 S. Armstrong Avenue. Operating hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., and on the first Saturday of the month (November-March) from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Again, this is only for live trees.

Aquatic Habitat – Drop-off

Another option is to donate your live tree to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission for their annual aquatic habitat project. Crews take donated trees and drop them into local lakes to create artificial habitats for numerous aquatic species, especially fish. The trees provide protection and shade for young fish, and can become hotspots for breeding and spawning. Local drop-off locations include Beaver Lake (Highway 12 access and AGFC Don Roufa Hwy 412 access), Lake Elmdale (boat ramp), Bob Kidd Lake (boat ramp), and Crystal Lake (boat ramp). There are also a couple dozen more locations across the state (see full list).

Tiger Toys – Drop-off

The Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge in Eureka Springs is still accepting Christmas tree donations. Officials with the wildlife sanctuary say the tigers like to destroy the trees with their teeth and claws, and then roll around in the debris as though it were a giant pile of catnip.