By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – Public works crews in St. John and St. Charles parishes have begun picking up discarded Christmas trees this week to be donated to a marsh restoration program sponsored by Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond.

Curbside pickup in both parishes began Wednesday and will continue through Jan. 12 in St. Charles Parish and Jan. 13 in St. John Parish. Trees must be natural, unflocked and completely free of tinsel, garland, lights and other decorations. All trees placed on the side of the road this week will be picked up.

The collected trees will go toward a coastal restoration project created in 1992 by Southeastern research associate Fred Stouder

According to the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources, the trees are used to construct brush fences that reduce wave energies and allow the capture of suspended sediment. Stouder said the trees are also useful in the preservation and enhancement of habitat for wetland animals such as ducks

Stouder said the trees collected at the sites will be used in marsh restoration projects in Tangipahoa and St. John the Baptist parishes.

In St. John Parish, a request to pick up a tree can be called in, but it is not required. Residents can call Roads and Bridges at 985-652-4815 to request pick up.

In St. Charles, curbside pickup dates continue until Tuesday. Trees may also be dropped off at the East and West Bank Bridge Parks in Destrehan and Luling through Jan. 19.