Times Observer photo by Andrew Morrison Disposed Christmas trees at the parking lot adjacent to the Warren Municipal Pool. Disposed trees will be collected by the City of Warren and used as fish habitat improvement structures.

Need somewhere to dump your live Christmas tree?

The City of Warren has a solution for you.

City of Warren residents may dispose of live Christmas trees at the parking lot adjacent to the Warren Municipal Pool.

Dropping your used tree off will not only rid you of the dead tree, it will also provide habitat aid for fish. Over the past twenty-three years, these trees have been collected and used as fish habitat improvement structures.

Christmas trees are particularly effective in providing shelter for yellow perch as well as other species of fish. Partners in this effort include the City of Warren, the Allegheny National Forest, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Kinzua Fish and Wildlife Association, Boy Scouts of America, and other volunteers.

The trees are tied to cement blocks and placed in the Allegheny Reservoir as habitat structures for small baitfish. This provides protection, and sometimes food for these fish, which in turn results in an increase of their numbers.

If you would like to participate in this fish habitat improvement project, please be certain that all decorations, including tinsel, are removed  from the tree and take it to the Oak Street parking lot area by January 31, 2017.

The City will not pick up Christmas trees that are left at the curbside.