The 18th Annual Christmas Tree

Recycling Project (January 2007) in Henderson County was a successful community endeavour, with over 1,200 trees chipped and nearly 50 trees donated to N.C. Sportsman Association. On Saturday, January 6, a huge pile of Christmas trees was chipped into several huge piles of mulch … and the free mulch was bagged, boxed, containerized,
trucked, and taken away by local citizens to beautify and nourish yards, walkways, trails, or compost bins. The project was coordinated by the Environmental and Conservation Organization.

Hendersonville Public Works employees – especially John Rhinehart and his crew – were tireless workers during the project. Henderson County Parks and Recreation supplied a drop-off location at Jackson Park and treated the crew workers to lunch. ECO’s project coordinator, Rich Leppingwell, and volunteer coordinator, Ed Lockwood, provided volunteers to unload trees, manage traffic, assist mulch-gatherers, and supply hot apple cider and good conversation to recycling citizens. Media reporters made sure everyone knew about the event. And folks from far and near brought Christmas trees and helped themselves to fresh, aromatic chips. The trees that piled up after the event were donated to the N.C. Sportsman Association to be placed in ponds and lakes for aquatic habitat.

It was a busy, rewarding project to start the new year … thank you to the
a community for supporting this popular annual event.

The annual event is coordinated by ECO in cooperation with Henderson County Parks and Recreation, Hendersonville Public Works, and Henderson County Solid Waste Department. The event will take place rain or shine.