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"BRING ONE FOR THE
CHIPPER”
CHRISTMAS TREE RECYCLING
The Daily Tribune News - Cartersville, GA
Sponsored By:
   
Program Purpose
The purpose of this program,
launched statewide in 1991, is to support the state “yard
trimmings disposal ban", by recycling trees, particularly the
glut of “live” Christmas trees and greenery during the holiday
season. Since the program was begun, over 4.8 million trees have
been diverted from Georgia’s landfills and recycled into mulch or
used as fish habitat in lakes and ponds.
The state campaign features "Chipper," the state's beaver
mascot known for chipping Christmas trees into mulch, much as
native live beavers take down trees by gnawing, or "chipping"
with their large front teeth. Chipper comes out during the
holidays, often making personal appearances around the community
during the annual Christmas parade, or at local tree lots during
the holiday season.
This annual event, held for 2009 on Saturday, January 3 from
9 a.m. to 4 p.m., encourages citizens to recycle their live
Christmas trees at any of Bartow County's eleven
collection/recycling centers (see list below). In exchange
for recycling their cut Christmas tree, local citizens can
receive a free tree seedling grown and provided by the
Georgia Forestry Commission. This year, selections
include White Dogwood, Swamp Chestnut, and Southern Catalpa tree
seedlings. (tree descriptions and tree planting
information below) Please be sure to remove all lights
and ornaments, as well as the tree stand, prior to recycling.
Trees will be accepted for recycling beginning December 26.
Tree exchange is January 3 ONLY, while supplies last.
In Bartow County, Keep Bartow Beautiful partners with Bartow
County Solid Waste, the local office of the Georgia Forestry
Commission, The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Georgia Dept. of
Natural Resources-Fisheries Division, Cherokee County Boy
Scouts, and Red Top Mountain State Park to recycle all the
collected local trees into fish habitat areas in Lake Allatoona.
To volunteer for the "Trees to Habitat" project, call
770-387-5167, or email us at
henshaws@bartowga.org
for more information. (Tentative Project dates - Saturday,
January 24 or Saturday, January 31.)
Tree Selection Descriptions
Dogwood (Cornus florida)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flowering_dogwood
Flowering dogwood is one of the most common and beautiful native
trees with its showy, white, petal-like, bracts that form in the
spring. It is a small understory tree rarely reaching 40
feet in height with a short trunk 12-18 inches in diameter.
The species grows on a wide range of sites varying from deep,
fertile, moist soils along streams to light textured,
well-drained, upland soils. Extra care is required in
extreme weather trends because of the tree's shallow root
system. Its thin bark is easily injured by fire, lawn
mowers, and string trimmers. Dogwood is a slow/moderate
grower. Its greatest value comes from ornamental and
landscape uses. The shiny, bright red seeds that mature in
the fall are an excellent food for many wildlife species.
Catalpa (Catalpa bignonioides)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Catalpa
This is a small tree found naturally in the southern and gulf
states and is commonly known as the "Fishing Bait Tree."
Catalpa is often planted as an ornamental because of its showy
white or purple-tinted flowers and its unusual long,
cigar-shaped, seed pods. It is frequently a host to
caterpillars that have been used for fishing bait.
Swamp Chestnut Oak (Quercus michauxil)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swamp_chestnut_oak
Swamp chestnut oak is a well-formed tree with a massive trunk
and narrow crown, averaging 60-80 feet in height and 2-3 feet in
diameter. It is found on the best, well-drained ridges and
loamy terraces in bottomlands throughout the piedmont and
coastal plain. Swamp chestnut oak is best planted in areas
with full sun. The quality of its wood is second only to
the very best white oak. The wood is used in many kinds of
construction and for implements. The acorns are sweet and
serve as food for wildlife.
Tree Planting Instructions
Take care of your new seedling. Store seedling in
cool area, such as a garage, or refrigerator. Keep roots
moist by placing roots in plastic bag. Before planting,
keep seedling out of sun.
Select and prepare a planting site. Avoid poorly
drained soil and shaded areas. Remove competing vegetation
and debris. Loosen soil around the site before planting
seedling. Avoid planting too close to buildings and other
trees. Seedling may be planted in pot until it grows
larger. Winter in Georgia is a fine time to plant trees
and shrubs. Just make sure the ground is not frozen or too
damp before digging. Trees use the cold winter months for
establishing strong and healthy root growth. Once spring
arrives, most of the growth is focused in above-ground growth.
To plant the tree, prepare a hole deep enough for the
roots. Remove seedling from bag and plant immediately.
Place seedling roots in hole 1-inch deeper than the root mass.
Hold the seedling straight and fill the hole with moist (not
soggy) soil. Avoid air pockets in hole by firmly packing
the soil with your feet. Most seedlings will not need
staking if planted to the proper depth and with soil tamped in
firmly. Water seedling as needed, even in winter, until
well established. You should see signs of new growth in
early spring. If fertilizing, place fertilizer at least
six inches from the roots.
Bartow County Recycling Locations
Emerson
West Cartersville
Northeast Cartersville
Northwest Cartersville
Center Community
Euharlee-Taylorsville
White
Pine Log Community
Adairsville
Kingston North
Kingston South
Cartersville-Northtowne Community/Downtown
Currently, no free mulch is available, as all our trees are
recycled into Lake Allatoona.
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