No Christmas Trees Collected At Island Beach State Park In 2023

ISLAND BEACH STATE PARK, NJ — While bringing your Christmas trees to Island Beach State Park has quickly become a tradition over the past few years, it's not one people will get to participate in this year.

"Over the past three years, over 3,000 Christmas trees have been collected through donations by park visitors which have successfully strengthened the dune system throughout Island Beach State Park," State Park officials said Wednesday.

Though the program has been a success, it will not take place in 2023 due to the presence of a rare plant.

The area that the State Park Service had in mind this year for dune replenishment is home to Seabeach Amaranth, which is a federally threatened, globally rare and state endangered plant.

That part of the park "would not be be able to accommodate the disturbance to the habitat for this plant that the Christmas tree placement activity would have caused," State Park officials said.

State Park officials acknowledged that canceling the program would be "disappointing."

"While not collecting trees this year may disappoint some, the State Park Service has an obligation to strike a balance protecting the variety of natural resources found throughout Island Beach," officials said.

If you are looking to get rid of your natural Christmas tree, there are several options for Ocean County residents.

They can be taken to county parks for recycling. These trees will be turned into wood chips available for residents and used throughout the county. Bring them to these parks around Berkeley and Lacey.

Residents of Berkeley can also set their trees out on the curb for collection, and some of those may be used for dune replenishment. They can also be brought to the recycling center.

Lacey residents can set their trees on the curb through Jan. 20 or bring them to Lacey's recycling center.