Re-purpose your Christmas Tree - Royal Botanical wants 2000 of you to do just that

By Staff

January 5th, 2024

BURLINGTON, ON

The annual tree collection returns! RBG needs a maximum of 2,000 trees in order to strategically place them in critical zones. Community members are asked to pre-register their donation(s) ahead of their drop-off to ensure we receive the desired amount for the project at hand. Are you up to the calculated challenge? Let your tree continue to work for nature even after it’s done its traditional duty.

For well over a decade, RBG has relied on the generosity of the public to deliver their trees to aid us in various stream-restoration projects around aquatic ecosystems. Since this project began, over 175,000 trees have been repurposed and placed into the banks of the Chedoke and Grindstone Creeks. Once placed, their branches begin to collect and retain suspended sediment which helps form a riverbank, something previously demolished by invasive Common Carp. As the years go by and more trees are added, the riverbanks become fortified and stabilized, which help channel the flow of water during high-water events. The placement of trees also helps by creating essential habitat for birds, mammals, insects, reptiles, amphibians and most importantly a strong soil bed where native plants can take root and begin to sprout! What life have you seen around the berms as of late?

Sincere thanks go out to all the people who have helped see this project through. Not only do we have the solo tree drop offs, we have witnessed individuals organize neighbourhood pickups and deliver dozens of trees, and businesses deliver by the truckload! The generosity is magnificent, and the evidence is in the wetlands. Thank you only scratches the surface, or in this case adds to it!

Please Pre-Register to Donate Your Tree

Register your tree HERE

Royal Botanical Gardens appreciates the generosity of its community members that take the time to donate their Christmas trees each year. Used Christmas trees assist our conservation efforts in re-building creek channels on our waterways. These channels facilitate the regrowth of marsh plants and create habitat for native fish and wildlife.

This year we require a maximum of 2,000 trees for our restoration and are asking that you please register your tree prior to dropping it off. Though we greatly appreciate the overwhelming enthusiasm in support of this project, we are only able to use 2,000 trees to effectively achieve our goal.

• Drop off between December 28 to January 9
• Please do not drop off your tree without pre-registering
• Drop off will be at an un-staffed location close to the border of Hamilton and Burlington. Specific drop-off instructions and location details will be provided via email to registrants.
• Remove all decorations and ties
• Spruce and fir species are preferred
• Drop off only; RBG does not provide pickup services