What good is a Christmas tree after Christmas has ended?
What about 1,500 trees leftover from Busch Gardens’ Christmas Town™?
Take a look around the park, you might see some recycled trees without even realizing it! In the landscaping department, some of the trees are put through a wood-chipper and these chips are then set aside to age.
“In spring when we do our mulching the recycled chips are used in back areas and under mature trees” said Sheila Cox, a horticulture technician at Busch Gardens®, The chipped Christmas Town trees make approximately 40 to 50 tons of mulch each year.
Not only do Frasers firs make great mulch. They also make interesting habitats for the parks’ beautiful animals.
Foxes, Arctic wolves, Clydesdales and even an African serval also help with the park’s tree-cycling efforts. Trees are put in their habitats as an enrichment exercise that is both mentally and physically stimulating for the animals.
“Sometimes the smell and texture of the tree is interesting enough to the animals, but we may also hide food or toys in the tree for the animals to find,” said Jennah Moore, an Associate Animal Care specialist at Busch Gardens.
For more about the Tree-Cycling efforts (and see those adorable park animals enjoying the addition to their habitat) you can visit the Busch Gardens Blog
Busch Gardens green efforts will take on a celebratory tone when the park re-opens for the 2014 season on March 16. The park’s Irish village will be decorated as part of an early St. Patrick’s Day celebration. The Busch Gardens Fun offers guests the best option to enjoy the park’s festivities all spring and summer long. For a limited time, guests who purchase their Busch Gardens Fun Card online can get unlimited Admission to Water Country USA added free.
