The Somerset County Park Commission and Island Beach State Park in Ocean County will both accept this year’s trees. Somerset County will accept trees through the end of January 2022, and those trees will be turned into mulch to be used throughout the parks to protect and nurture plant life.
Island Beach State Park will collect trees on Jan. 8 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The trees will be used to support the island’s dune system, which is home to some 400 plant species and shore birds and helps protect the island during hurricanes.
Island Beach accepted trees for the first time in 2020, and at the time park officials said they hoped to receive about 200. Instead, they received nearly 2,000. Due to the popularity in the donation program, reservations are required this year and trees will only be accepted from individuals, rather than businesses.
“The Park Commission is pleased to bring back this free, eco-friendly and cost-effective program so residents can easily dispose of their Christmas trees,” said Somerset County Park Commission Secretary Director Geoffrey Soriano in a statement. “Trees will be chipped and shredded into mulch or woodchips and used for plant life throughout the park system, which will help the environment and help the County’s taxpayers save money.”
In Somerset County, mulch will be available at drop-off sites on a first-come, first-served basis for residents who are recycling their trees.
Residents interested in donating to Somerset County can drop trees off seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Jan. 31 at Colonial Park Gardens, Parking Lot F, in Franklin Township; and at North Branch Park at the lighted baseball field in Bridgewater. Those interested in donating their trees to Island Beach State Park should do so at Swimming Area #2.
Trees must be free of ornaments, wires, netting and tinsel; wreaths and garlands will not be accepted.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
