With the holidays over, the City of Decatur has a unique way to find new life for your Christmas tree.

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) — With the holidays over, the City of Decatur has a unique way to find new life for your Christmas tree. 

Residents can recycle living Christmas trees to serve as fish habitats in Lake Decatur.

"We'll put them in the lake in strategic locations. We'll also put that on a map for people looking for those habitats that might be a good fishing spot. It's just a great opportunity to recycle, reuse it and not have to worry about getting rid of it another way," said City of Decatur Communications Coordinator Ryan Huffer. 

The city is partnering with the Decatur Park District and the Primient Veterans ERG to collect the trees from Dec. 26 through Jan. 16. They will be prepped and placed at the bottom of Lake Decatur to provide shelter for smaller fish and help the ecosystem.

"Not really sure how many we'll get — it's the first year — but this is available to anybody in Macon County. Again, make sure you bring a real tree, not any artificial trees, and completely clean it off," Huffer said. 

Trees can be dropped off at the old Paul's Putting Place hill at Nelson Park. 

The Christmas trees must be completely cleared of ornaments, tinsel, glitter, lights and tree stands.

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