Lake Shelbyville offering Christmas tree recycling program

SHELBYVILLE, Ill. (WAND) - When Christmas time has passed, you do not have to just throw your tree out with the trash! Consider donating it for the Fish Habitat Improvement Day at Lake Shelbyville.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Lake Shelbyville Fish Habitat Alliance and Illinois Department of Natural Resources will take old Christmas trees and put them into Lake Shelbyville to help enhance the fisheries for years to come.

Donated Christmas trees are bundled together in small groups and submerged in the lake at different locations. These structures provide fish with breeding areas and escape cover.

Trees will be collected in Shelbyville and Sullivan. The designated collection site in Sullivan is at Sullivan 66 Gas Station south of Sullivan on Route 32.

Trees can be dropped off inside the snow fence area on the north side of the building. Do not leave trees in the parking lot.

In Shelbyville, the designated collection site is at the Johnstowne Mall on the west side of Shelbyville. Leave trees inside snow fence area on the grass at the northwest corner of the parking area. Do not leave trees in the parking lot.

Trees will be collected at both sites through March 1, 2025.

Before delivering your tree to either of the designated collection sites, remove the stand, tinsel and any ornaments. If you have placed a plastic bag on your tree, remove it before leaving the tree.

Do not leave any other kind of tree trimmings, wreaths, flowers or yard waste at the sites.