Christmas Tree Drop-Off Locations
Recycle your Christmas tree and provide habitat for fish
After the holidays, as you are boxing up your ornaments and putting things back in place, please consider recycling your natural tree at one of the below-listed drop-off locations. The Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Biologists are collecting Christmas trees to be used as fish habitat in local lakes. Real trees provide cover for small fish and places for growth of algae that is fed on by aquatic insects, and also attract larger fish that can be caught by anglers.
The collected trees are bundled together, weighted, and submerged at spots around the lake. Often called brush piles, the submerged trees provide critical habitat for all life stages and multiple species of fish. The trees will decompose due to natural processes and need to be replenished every few years. Maps and coordinates of the brush piles are available on our lake pages on this site or from the biologist for that lake (contact information also on the lake pages).
Please place your tree in the designated area listed for each site during the drop-off dates. All trees must be free of stands, lights, ornaments, and tinsel. Only trees are being accepted (i.e., no wreaths or garlands) due to the method used for binding and deploying them.
Below please find the Illinois drop-off locations. Click on the site name for a Google Map location. We appreciate you helping us to provide habitat for fish!
County |
Site |
Address |
Site Instructions |
Waterbody |
Drop-Off Dates |
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| Northwest | ||||||||
| Stephenson | Lake Le-Aqua-Na State Park | N Lake Rd. | Follow signage to drop-off location. | Lake Le-Aqua-Na | 12/26/2024 – 1/5/2025 | |||
| East Central | ||||||||
| Moultrie | Howy's Lakeside Gas Station | 801 IL-32 | Place trees in designated area (orange snow fence) north end of parking lot | Lake Shelbyville | 12/26/2024 – 3/1/2025 | |||
| Shelby | Johnstowne Mall | IL-16 | Place trees in designated area (orange snow fence) NW corner of parking lot | Lake Shelbyville | 12/26/2024 – 3/1/2025 | |||
| Shelby Cumberland |
Lake Mattoon Marina | 1282 3600 E | Place trees in designated area in parking area across the road from Marina | Lake Mattoon | 12/26/2024 – 1/31/2025 | |||
| West Central | ||||||||
| Clinton | Dam East Boat Ramp (Carlyle) | Dam East Access Area Rd @ Saddle Dam 2 Rd | Place trees in designated area marked by “Tree Recycling" Sign | Carlyle Lake | 12/26/2024 – 3/1/2025 | |||
| South | ||||||||
| Marion | City of Centralia — Public Works Building | 114 E. 5th St. | Place trees near the south gate | Centralia Lake, Raccoon Lake | 12/28/2024 – 1/19/2025 | |||
| Marion | Stephen A. Forbes SRA | Boat Ramp (East of dam) | Place trees in designated area near the boat ramp | Forbes Lake | 12/28/2024 – 1/19/2025 | |||
| Richland | Olney Municipal Parking Lot | Corner of E. Butler and N. Boone Streets | Place trees inside of barricades in the northeast corner of parking lot | East Fork, Borah, and Vernor Lakes | 12/26/2024 – 1/19/2025 | |||
| Jasper | Sam Parr SFWA | Main (southwest) Boat Ramp | Place trees in designated area near the boat ramp | Sam Parr Lake | 12/28/2024 – 1/19/2025 | |||
| Jasper | Newton SFWA | Southwest (warm arm) Boat Ramp | Place trees in designated area on northwest side of parking lot | Newton Lake | 12/28/2024 – 1/19/2025 | |||
| Wayne | Sam Dale SFWA | Main Boat Ramp (south end of lake) | Place trees in designated area near the boat ramp | Sam Dale Lake | 12/28/2024 – 1/19/2025 | |||
| Lawrence | Red Hills State Park | Main boat ramp on northwest side of the lake | Place trees in designated area near the boat ramp | Red Hills Lake | 12/28/2024 – 1/19/2025 | |||
| Wabash | Beall Woods State Park | Boat Ramp (Southwest side of lake) | Place trees in designated area near the boat ramp | Beall Woods Lake | 12/28/2024 – 1/19/2025 | |||
| Fayette | Ramsey Lake SRA | Boat Ramp (east side of lake) | Place trees in designated area near the boat ramp | Ramsey Lake | 12/28/2024 – 1/19/2025 | |||
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