COLUMBUS, Ohio - With the holiday season coming to a close, some folks in the Mahoning Valley might be thinking about discarding their live-cut Christmas trees. However, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) has another suggestion.

ODNR is reminding Valley residents that live-cut Christmas trees can be repurposed as a habitat for many species of animals like birds, small mammals, fish and insects.

Songbirds like cardinals, chickadees, titmice, nuthatches and wrens travel in and out of brush piles for food, nesting and to escape predators. Additionally, small mammals like rabbits and chipmunks use brush piles for shelter and raising their young.

Brush piles are also valuable for shelter for overwintering insects like bees, moths and butterflies.

Additionally, live-cut Christmas trees can be useful as compost, mulch and more.

There are plenty of places to recycle your live-cut Christmas tree in Ohio. Locally, the Mahoning County Green Team is accepting these trees at designated drop-off sites until Saturday, January 31.

The Mahoning County Sheriff's Office Community Service Program collects and prepares these trees to be used for fish and wildlife habitat in partnership with ODNR.

If you are looking to recycle your live-cut Christmas tree, be sure to remove all trimmings, including tinsel, garland, lights and ornaments, as these can be harmful to the environment and wildlife.

ODNR is also reminding folks to obtain proper permission before discarding their tree on public or private property, as failing to do so could result in a litter violation.