Each year after Christmas the residents around Gulf Shores un-hang their ornaments and store them for the next season. Then many donate their trees to community works projects along the beach. A majority though never see how those trees are used and the difference they make along the pristine shores. For over 30 years, this environmental initiative has played a vital role in strengthening the dunes that protect the coastal ecosystem, provide wildlife habitats, and shield the community from storms.

Christmas trees, especially evergreens, can be used as a natural barrier to wind-blown sand, which helps to build up sand dunes. When wind carries sand across the beach, the sand catches in the trees, building up over time and creating new areas of dune growth. Using discarded Christmas trees is a natural and biodegradable way to address coastal erosion, as they are a resource that would otherwise end up in a landfill.

How to Participate

Residents can drop off their live, undecorated trees at the Gulf State Park Beach Pavilion (22250 E Beach Blvd) from now through the end of January. The designated drop-off point is located at the east end of the parking lot, adjacent to the dumpster area. Please do not place trees in front of the Dumpsters.

For those living in Gulf Shores, the city offers curbside pickup from December 29 through January 16. To participate, place your tree on the curb in a pile separate from other debris. 

Orange Beach Residents can dispose of live Christmas trees for recycling by placing trees, completely stripped of decorations and tinsel, on their curbs for pickup by Public Works on Friday, January 2nd.

Preparation Requirements

To be eligible for the program, all trees must be completely "naked." Residents must remove all:

• Ornaments and decorations
• Tinsel
• Flocking (flocked trees are ineligible due to their artificial coating)

The Restoration Process

Beginning in February, park staff, local students from Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, and @dunedoctors will begin placing the trees at the base of the dunes. The trees are arranged in "U" shaped groups of three to capture wind-driven sand. Over time, this sand accumulates, creating new areas for dune growth. To complete the restoration, volunteers and staff return in the spring to plant thousands of native dune plants around the trees, further stabilizing the natural habitat.