Here's how it works: You bring your tree to one of over thirty drop-off locations across the state. From there, staff will take it, anchor it to a weight, and submerge it alongside others in one of Kentucky’s lakes or reservoirs. The trees will decompose naturally and, in the meantime, provide shelter and shade to fish.
Sunken trees become fish attractors, meaning fish gather around them to feed, shelter, and spawn. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife provides GPS coordinates of fish attractors to anglers so they can fish in these hot spots.
To donate your tree, first make sure to remove all decorations - lights, ornaments, and tinsel. Then, you can drop it off at Lake Reba in Lexington, Lusby Lake in Georgetown, Ace Hardware in Lawrenceburg, or the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife headquarters in Frankfort. Trees are being accepted through January 16th. Only trees are able to be donated to the program - limbs, wreaths, brush, and other plants are not accepted.
The city of Lexington will also be mulching and composting Christmas trees left at the curb between Monday, Dec. 29 and Friday, January 30. To dispose of your tree this way, remove all decorations and set it out on your regular collection day. Lexington residents without curbside service can take natural trees to the Haley Pike Waste Management Facility.