NORTH TOPSAIL BEACH – Beachfront property owners in North Topsail Beach are placing donated Christmas trees along the oceanfront this week in a town-wide effort to protect the dunes.
Anyone needing to dispose of a holiday tree can drop it off at the collection site on the north end of the New Jeffries lot, located at BA 31B, 315 New River Inlet Road. The program will continue through mid-January.
Related: Here’s where to recycle your used Christmas tree in New Hanover County
Property owners are able to pick up the donated trees to place on the dunes behind their houses themselves. It’s an easy way to promote sand accumulation in their backyards.
“You never know around here when sand’s coming or going,” North Topsail Beach Public Works Director Scott Anders said. “So every little bit helps, and it’s just a good way to get rid of a tree at the end of the day.”
As the unornamented trees lay on the beach, their branches and needles capture sand that is being blown around, helping to naturally build up the dunes.
Prior to dropping off, Christmas lights and ornaments must be removed from the trees. The pick up is “first come, first serve,” according to the town, with no limit on the number of trees one property owner can take.
Anyone who is unable to collect trees themselves for any reason can submit an online request for assistance and the town will send volunteers to place the evergreens.
Eventually, the Christmas trees will be covered by the sand, either after they collect a certain amount or during eventual dune pushes. Otherwise, they’ll deteriorate, which is safe for the environment.
Town staff will travel the beach and pick up any trees they notice are getting blown or washed away. Those are either returned to the dunes or disposed of depending on the condition.
North Topsail Beach started this initiative two years ago after Hurricane Florence took out dunes along the island, particularly on the north side. Placing trees seemed to be the only option at the time to rebuild the protective barrier, as it was still unknown when dune restoration would take place.
“It just kind of caught on and people use them,” Anders said, “and it doesn’t matter how big of a dune you got, you can put the tree out there and stake it down to it and it will help collect more sand.”
Luckily, Hurricane Isaias spared North Topsail Beach’s dunes this year. Still, the beach town is continuing the effort as it has in past years when donors gave between 200 to 500 trees. In 2019 the town received around 300.
“I imagine this year we’ll probably have just as many if not more,” Anders said.
Neighboring town Surf City is placing a dumpster at 214 N. New River Dr. for residents to dump their used Christmas trees starting Dec. 31. Since the town has scheduled a nourishment project, it is not planning on laying trees along the beach this year.
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