Local farms accepting real Christmas trees to feed animals

JOHNS ISLAND, S.C. (WBCD) – Local goats and bison are eating up Christmas trees as the holiday season comes to an end.

Goat farms around the Lowcountry have been collecting real Christmas trees and use them as a healthy snack for their animals. Jeremiah Farm and Goat Dairy started a decade ago with a phone call from a friend, and since then its become a hit in recent years.

“Can I bring my Christmas tree out for your goats? I’m like sure, I mean I know goats like trees but I don’t know about Christmas trees. So, let’s try it,” Casey Price, owner of Jeremiah Farm and Goat Diary, said. “She brought her tree out and the goats devoured it. It was gone in like an hour.”

Though this year, the Prices had to stop accepting trees as they have received too many. This healthy snack does have a plus, when being around their goats.

“The smell of the trees is fantastic. Yeah, this time of year. They have Christmas tree breath,” said owners Tim and Casey.

As the goats enjoy the seasonal treat, they also are getting necessary vitamins and nutrients.

“Well pretty much when you put it in there, they are going for the leaves first – the needles first. That’s where your vitamin C is. So that is feeding them, but they are really trying to strip it down to the bark. The bark is literally their favorite part,” Casey said.

With this being a sustainable option of disposing Christmas trees, there are a few guidelines. The trees must be real, free of decorations including tinsel and any spray, so this can be all-natural for the animals.

“When they’re done, we either mulch or burn the carcasses of the trees and that goes back to the garden. So, it’s just a joy for us to continue to build good soil,” Casey said. “And trees are just super good absorbers of carbon dioxide,” Tim added.

Local farms accepting trees:

• Awendaw: Bedaw Goat Farm
• Hollywood: Lowcountry Leadership School
• Johns Island: Full Circle Farm, The Goatery
• Summerville: Ashley Ridge High School
• Ridgeville: Family Farm 251

Each farm may have either a drop-off location on their property or require an appointment by phone call.

Other options for composting your Christmas tree:

• City of Charleston
• Charleston Towne Landing
• South Carolina Department of Natural Resources