Looking Ahead to 2026

by Becky Juanes

First, I would like to thank everyone who helped make our 2025 major fundraiser the best one yet! So many of us work growing and dividing plants for many months before the sale to contribute to our inventory. I am always amazed by the volume and variety we have to offer.

Rob and the Highland Rim crew are invaluable for their expertise and willingness to share their time and knowledge with us. Without them, we would have no gardens and not be able to continue developing and maintaining the space as we go. I could not have managed the greenhouse without Chris and everyone who helps with maintenance, repairs, donations and their patience in answering my many questions.

The side panels on the greenhouse have been replaced and the heat has been set to keep everything from freezing. Don't turn any switches off so we don't risk the freezing pipes we had last winter.

Preparations for our 2026 growing season are underway. Organization of the greenhouse and pot cleaning will begin soon and will be ongoing. After talking with small scale, professional greenhouse growers on one of my trips, I would like to use a 10% Hydrogen peroxide solution as they recommend. It is less harsh on the hands and much better for the environment. I pick up so much useful information while talking with other gardeners and enjoy talking so much more than dry, solitary research. I do fact check to make sure the information is correct, however.

Now is the time to plan and purchase the seeds we want to sow for next year. Suggestions and donations are always welcome. If you have seeds you would like to try, the greenhouse is the perfect opportunity for that. If you do want to make use of some space, you must commit to a plan to care for your trials. We can work together to accomplish this. Seed starting will begin around the end of January/ beginning of February to allow the seedlings to reach a good size for sale by mid-May.

I have been lead on our plant sale since 2020. We have made so much progress and have so much to be proud of. The results are a testament to group effort and dedication. Our group has grown and is learning to work together as a team, great work! This will be my last year as lead on the plant sale. We need a core group of 3-5 dedicated, self-motivated people to learn what needs to be done to keep our major fundraiser thriving. If you are interested in joining in, please contact me.

Cell: 603-727-2049 (call or text)

Home: 615-384-7808 (leave message)

Email: rebeccajuanes@aol.com

Facebook: Becky Mills or post on our group page

Thank you all again for your past support for our fundraiser. I am looking forward to our next and best year! 

Repurposing Christmas Trees To Benefit Wildlife

by Clemson Cooperative Extension

After the holiday season, many residents are left wondering what can be done with their discarded “live” Christmas tree. There are several options to repurpose the trees to benefit wildlife, a yard, and even a pond.

The first step in repurposing a Christmas tree is to remove tinsel, ornaments, or any other synthetic materials that have been applied to the tree. The recommendations in this factsheet do not apply to artificial trees; these trees are made of plastic and metal, which do not decompose in a way that benefits wildlife and can potentially cause harm to the local ecology.

In the Yard

Living habitats require food, water, and shelter. Adding an old Christmas tree to a yard or pond will enhance the natural environment by complementing an existing habitat and adding several benefits:

• Organic matter is added to the land through decomposition, providing additional nutrients in the soil, which help to enhance plant growth and benefit wildlife.
• Provide shelter and shade, critical components to healthy habitats.
• Help the soils beneath it retain water: increased shade reduces the amount of water evaporating from the soil.
• Reduce erosion by slowing down water movement (either by planting the tree or laying the entire tree on the ground)

Re-Plant or Intact

If a living tree was chosen, either balled and burlapped or in a container, it can be planted in the landscape. To determine if the tree will thrive in the chosen site conditions, ensure it is the right plant for the right place. HGIC 1750, Selecting A Christmas Tree, provides information on the most commonly found trees at farms in South Carolina. Be aware that not all the trees at a farm are suitable to grow in South Carolina; some have been transported from out of the region. Of the trees listed from the previously mentioned factsheet, these trees have the best chance of flourishing in South Carolina: Arizona Cypress (Blue Ice, Carolina Sapphire, and Clemson Greenspire), Deodar Cedar, Eastern Red Cedar, Pine (Eastern White, Scotch, and Virginia), Leyland Cypress, and Murray Cypress. Information regarding the best growing conditions for each species above can be found on the Carolina Yards Plant Database, HGIC 1020, Pine, and the United States Department of Agriculture. For more information on best tree planting practices, please refer to HGIC 1001, Planting Trees Correctly.

A tree without roots can still be planted to attract wildlife, but do not expect it to grow. A standing dead tree, called a snag, can provide habitat or food to many wildlife species, from raccoons and squirrels to birds and beneficial insects and everything in between. To make the repurposed tree more attractive to wildlife, embellish the tree with pinecones coated in peanut butter or hang suet, corn, or birdseed ornaments made with natural materials. The snag should be planted far away from vehicles or play areas for children and pets, as the decomposing tree will eventually fall.

Laying a dead tree on the ground will deliver many of the same benefits as planting will. Drilling holes in the tree and placing it directly on its side will speed up the decomposition process. A few items to remember when placing the tree:

• When planting a live balled and burlapped or containerized tree, do not place the tree atop or in the proximity of a septic system; trees should be planted as far away from the septic system as they are tall at maturity.
• Do not place the tree in or near structures that could result in a fire hazard; consider locating the tree in an area that is not used regularly, such as along a fence line.
• Do not place the tree where it could negatively impact stormwater runoff, resulting in localized flooding.

Mulch or Compost

A tree can also be shredded to create mulch by using a woodchipper or other heavy equipment, which may not be readily available. Mulch can also be used in a compost pile as an additional form of organic material. For more information, please refer to HGIC 1600, Composting. If opting to mulch a tree, check with local government agencies, as many have community mulch centers that will collect trees and create mulch for free for pick up at a later date. If mulch is needed, contact a local government agency as a resource to locate mulch pick-up locations. Mulch discourages weed growth and helps with moisture and nutrient retention, temperature control, erosion reduction, and aesthetics. For additional information on the benefits of mulch, please refer to HGIC 1604, Mulch.

In the Water

With special considerations covered in this factsheet and permission from the pond owner, a Christmas tree can be recycled by sinking it to create fish habitat, often called a fish structure. In water, a tree can become a food source, as it decomposes, algae will populate and attract aquatic insects, which benefits the food web. Trees in ponds also provide a sanctuary and protective structure, increasing fish production and the number of fish attracted to the location. Creating a habitat for fish is beneficial for anglers or anyone who wants a healthy pond ecosystem.

Considerations and requirements: Sinking old Christmas trees is not for every pond. There are a few requirements and considerations to make before deciding to sink a tree or a group of trees into a pond.

Pond type: Stormwater ponds that receive runoff in order to treat the water before it reaches rivers and streams are not designed for fish structures. They not only reduce the amount of water the pond can hold but can also add nutrients into an already nutrient-rich environment and lead to algal blooms. Recreational fishing ponds are ideal candidates; however, algae and other aquatic plant growth must be under control before sinking the tree. As the tree decomposes, it will add nutrients into the water and use available dissolved oxygen, which can exacerbate any existing pond weed issues. Finally, permission must be granted from the pond owner if it is not owned by the one installing the fish structure.

Design and Implementation: Avoid high-traffic waterway areas, such as access points. The trees should not be placed in areas with significant boat traffic or where people or pets may swim. Consider placing a visible marker in the area to warn visitors of a potential underwater hazard. Know what type of fish to attract and where other sunken tree attractors are located. Trees sunk in areas with a mucky or muddy bottom may sink into the substrate over time; rocky or sandy bottoms will be more stable. Charles E. Basset conducted a study on fish use of habitat structures and found that location and depth play an important part in fish attraction.

Depth and Spacing Recommendations

Small Ponds:

• When sinking multiple trees, small groups of 3 to 4 trees at varying depths are most effective.
• The depth can vary from 6 to 10 feet.
• Structures placed less than 6 feet deep can run the risk of getting too warm.

Large Ponds and Reservoirs:

• When sinking multiple trees, long lines of small groups are more beneficial.
• Deeper ponds and lakes allow for deeper trees, 10 to 20 feet, but take care not to place them too deep.
• Water deeper than 20 feet runs the risk of not having enough oxygen for fish to thrive.

Recommended strategy for placing evergreen trees in ponds in reservoirs.

Used with Permission of Ohio State University

Public Land Notice: SCDNR asks the public not to add their own fish structures in publicly managed lakes; in some lakes, it is against the law without a permit. Instead, donate trees to identified sites located across the state to be placed by SCDNR biologists. Contact a local regional SCDNR office to find a nearby location.



How to Sink a Tree: Always check with local government agencies for locations, permissions, allowed uses, and any fees. If there are no recycling plans for the tree, consider donating it so others can take advantage of this resource and use it to benefit wildlife.

Attachment of concrete blocks to evergreen trees.

Used with Permission of Ohio State University

Why Weigh Down the Tree

• A floating tree can be a swimming or boating hazard
• Weighted trees resist movement from wind/shifting currents
• Easily located to make fishing easier

- - - - - - - - - - -

Resources:

1. HGIC 1750, Selecting A Christmas Tree
2. Carolina Yards Plant Database
3. HGIC 1020, Pine
4. United States Department of Agriculture
5. HGIC 1001, Planting Trees Correctly
6. HGIC 1600, Composting
7. HGIC 1604, Mulch
8. Placing Artificial Fish Attractors in Ponds and Reservoirs
9. https://www.dnr.sc.gov/admin/regions.html

Citations:

Bassett, Charles E. “Use and Evaluation of Fish Habitat Structures in Lakes of the Eastern United States by the USDA Forest Service.” Bulletin of Marine Science, vol. 55, Sept. 1994, pp. 1137–1148.

Document last updated on 11/23 by Barbara Smith

Originally published 03/21

If this document didn’t answer your questions, please contact HGIC at hgic@clemson.edu or 1-888-656-9988.

Author(s)

Susan Lunt, Water Resources Extension Associate, Carolina Clear Coordinator, Clemson University Cooperative Extension

Tancey Cullum Belken, Water Resources Extension Agent, Clemson University

This information is supplied with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement of brand names or registered trademarks by the Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service is implied, nor is any discrimination intended by the exclusion of products or manufacturers not named. All recommendations are for South Carolina conditions and may not apply to other areas. Use pesticides only according to the directions on the label. All recommendations for pesticide use are for South Carolina only and were legal at the time of publication, but the status of registration and use patterns are subject to change by action of state and federal regulatory agencies. Follow all directions, precautions and restrictions that are listed.

Thanks to Karen, Mike, and Gina, the planters at White House Library have a beautifully bright and festive new appearance!

Our Robertson County Master Gardeners’ Christmas party took place at the same location as last year, thanks to Rachel’s arrangement. While the work report was brief, the food was fabulous and the fun plentiful. The annual Dirty Santa game saw some familiar themes: hand pruners, birdhouses, and bird feeders. Merry Christmas to all!

Click here to download your own copy of Mistaken Identity? Invasive Plants and their Native Look-Alikes an Identification Guide for the Mid-Atlantic, a publication by the Delaware Department of Agriculture in collaboration with Claude E. Phillips Herbarium at Delaware State University's Delaware Center for Horticulture. Funded by: U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service.

The Tennessee Environmental Council explains that, "Tennessee Tree Day is an annual, family-friendly event that engages thousands of volunteers across the state in planting native tree seedlings. By partnering with the Tennessee Division of Forestry and various nurseries, we distribute bare-root native trees to Tennessee residents through our vast network of dedicated volunteers and local businesses. Since our initiative began in 2007, we've mobilized over 100,000 residents to plant more than one million native trees —an effort that not only significantly enhances the tree canopy and promotes sustainability but also provides critical ecosystem services, such as purifying air, filtering stormwater, and creating wildlife habitat. We believe that by planting these trees, every participant—from seasoned gardeners to first-timers—reconnects with nature and fulfills a vital responsibility to nurture the environment, leaving a precious, lasting gift for future generations and making their community better than they found it. For the first time ever, we will have a tree Pick-Up Site in all 95 counties of Tennessee for Tree Day 2026!"

The order window is now open! It is recommended that you place your order early as popular varieties tend to sell out quickly. All orders must be received by March 1, 2026. Distribution day will be Saturday, March 21, 2026 will an alternate date for extreme weather scheduled for one week later. Click here to browse available species and place your order.