PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Local salmon will be rockin’ around a bunch of old Christmas trees after the holidays are over this year. 

Reed College is taking castoff Christmas trees and using them to restore salmon habitats in Crystal Springs Creek.

The trees are strategically placed along the banks of the creek where it passes through the college’s campus to stop erosion and provide safe nurseries for spawning and the development of young fish. 

Reed College restoration manager Zac Perry starts collecting the trees the day after Christmas. He said the project has achieved big results over the last three years. 

“We create basically peninsulas or islands in the stream to reform which was historically the meander of this headwater system.” 

Reed College takes about 100 trees every year but only from students and staff. 

However, there are many other options for Christmas tree recycling around the Portland area. 

Recycle your tree with your curbside compost or garbage collections.

Or, take your tree to any of the following organizations for a small fee: