BROWN CO, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The pandemic kept us inside, longer than we’re used to, for much of 2020. But there was an increase in families going outside, for a yearly Christmas tradition.
“It’s just a sign of Christmas time and Christmas spirit of giving, you know?” Doug Scherf told FOX 11.
“Having the trees around, the real trees around, is nice, because it smells nice, you know?” Brian Gauthier added.
Of course in 2020, those smells have had to make it through our face masks.
“It’s been kind of tough with COVID and I think it’s a safe way to have fun in the outdoors with your family; and we saw that on the farm.”
In Luxemburg, Bayview Tree Farm Owner and Operator Shawn McDonough tells FOX 11….
“There was a lot of people out there with a lot of big smiles.”
Luxemburg’s Bay View Tree Farm says demand was up 30% this season. And Trudell’s Tree Farm in Sobieski noticed an increase in first-time buyers… people looking to get out of their homes during the pandemic.
“It means the world, he doesn’t want us to take it down actually because he thinks Santa is going to come again and we keep trying to tell him it’s a once a year deal,” Tyler Elliott said.
“I just got a little short one and my mom gave me all the decorations when I was younger, all Hallmark decorations,” John Harder said.
“It means a lot, you know, especially the ornaments, the pictures you put on there,” Sidney Ivy said. “It’s a vibe, you know, you get that vibe. Certain trees don’t got that vibe, you can get a real good vibe beefing up a fake tree.”
“A real tree is better in my mind than an artificial tree, because it’s more environmental friendly,” McDonough said. “Like I said, it’s recyclable.”
With Christmas behind us, now many people are looking for ways to get rid of their trees.
“We can use them as fish cribs for fish habitat, wildlife habitat in the woods, or you can mulch it up and use it as landscape mulch,” McDonough said.
The Village of Allouez will hold its annual Christmas tree exchange program on Jan. 2 and Jan. 9 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Allouez residents can discard their Christmas tree at the LeBrun yard Waste Site; in exchange for a coupon for a tree seedling. The seedlings can be picked up at Village Hall in the spring.
In Green Bay any natural Christmas tree without lights, ornaments, or the tree stand, will be picked up by the city from your curbside at no cost to residents. But there are rules you must follow.
Most towns in Northeast Wisconsin are accepting Christmas trees for curbside pickup.
There are also a variety of locations around Northeast Wisconsin accepting tree drops offs, according to Go Valley Kids:
The NEW Zoo, 4378 Reforestation Rd, Green Bay
Hatch’em Acre, W1296 State Highway 96, Kaukauna, (920) 212-0034 — Christmas trees will be used in goat and chicken pens. Drop off available daily in Kaukauna. Call or message with questions.
Fishing Clubs along Lake Winnebago – Christmas trees are used for marking roads on Lake Winnebago for ice fishers.
Quinney Fish Club, Quinney Road, Chilton
Otter Street Fishing Club, end of Merritt street in Oshkosh
West Shore Fishing Club, end of Lone Elm Road & Lake Winnebago, north side of the boat landing, Van Dyne, Wisconsin
Appleton Municipal Building Drop-off, 2625 E Glendale Ave, Appleton, Wisconsin, (920) 832-5588
Winnebago County Landfill and Recycling Drop-off, 100 W County Road Y, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, (920) 232-1800
Brown County Yard Waste Drop-Off – Ashwaubenon, Collaer Court Green Bay, Wisconsin, (920) 448-2800
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