Natural materials can provide shelter for aquatic life (Kentucky Fish and Wildlife photo)
Thousands of Christmas trees that decorated homes during the holiday season have found a new purpose at the bottom of lakes in Kentucky. Around 5,000 trees were donated to a state-run recycling programme this year, with approximately 1,700 placed in Boltz Lake alone.
The trees are being used to create underwater shelter for fish in lakes where natural hiding places have gradually disappeared.The effort is part of Christmas for the Fishes, a programme run by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. Now in its ninth season, the initiative collects used Christmas trees and places them underwater to help maintain habitats for different fish species.According to a FOX19, the trees were collected after the last holiday season and distributed among lakes selected for habitat restoration.
Boltz Lake, located in Grant County, received a substantial share of the donations.But why would a lake need thousands of Christmas trees? Many of Kentucky's lakes are artificial, and the trees and other wooden structures that once provided shelter for fish have slowly broken down. Without these structures, fish have fewer places to hide, feed and reproduce.
The problem beneath Kentucky's ageing lakes
When a lake is created, submerged trees, logs and other natural materials can provide shelter for aquatic life.
However, these structures do not last forever. As the wood decays, the spaces between branches and logs gradually disappear. This has become a concern in Kentucky, where many artificial lakes date back to the late 1950s and early 1960s.David Baker, a programme coordinator with Kentucky Fish and Wildlife, told FOX19 that the department has been working to replace the habitat lost over time.The solution involves something that is readily available after Christmas: discarded natural trees.
Once submerged, their branches provide spaces where smaller fish can escape larger predators. They also offer shaded areas and places for fish to feed. In this way, trees that are no longer needed in homes can continue serving a useful purpose for several years.
How does it all begin?
The process begins after Christmas, when residents bring their used trees to designated collection points. For the 2026 programme, Kentucky Fish and Wildlife accepted donations between December 26, 2025, and January 16, 2026.
There were 37 collection locations across the state.However, not every type of Christmas decoration could be donated. The department accepted only real evergreen trees, with all lights, garlands and ornaments removed. Artificial trees and other plant materials were excluded.
After collection, the trees were prepared for use in lakes and reservoirs. Rather than being scattered randomly, they were grouped together and secured using environmentally friendly weights.These groups of submerged trees create spaces between their branches. Small fish can move into these areas for protection, while larger fish may gather nearby to feed.Spencer Phillips, a fisheries biologist with Kentucky Fish and Wildlife, explained the importance of these structures in information published by the Jackson County Sun.“Every tree counts,” Phillips said. “Each tree can provide benefits for local fisheries for several years, gradually enhancing fish habitat that has been lost over time.
Local anglers also benefit from the creation of reliable fishing hotspots around the sunken brush piles.”
Why Boltz Lake received 1,700 trees
The department does not return to every lake annually. Instead, it follows a schedule under which individual lakes generally receive another round of trees every five to six years. This is because the submerged branches eventually deteriorate, just like the natural wooden structures they are intended to replace.During the latest season, approximately 1,700 of the 5,000 donated trees were placed in Boltz Lake. The remaining donations were part of the wider programme, which uses Christmas trees to improve fish habitats across Kentucky.By returning to different lakes over time, the department can continue replacing underwater shelter as older materials break down.
How the project benefits people who fish
The underwater trees are also useful to people who visit Kentucky's lakes for recreational fishing.
Fish tend to gather around areas that offer shelter and food. As a result, locations where trees have been submerged can become places where anglers are more likely to find them. According to FOX19, crappie, bluegill and bass are among the fish commonly caught near these underwater structures.The department also makes it easier for anglers to locate the areas where trees have been placed. Officials record the GPS coordinates of the submerged structures and publish the information through the department's website and the FishBoatKY application. This means anglers can identify the locations of the artificial habitats before heading out onto the water.