New York turned 250 Christmas trees into breakwaters to restore salt marsh

Discarded Christmas trees found a new purpose in Jamaica Bay, where they transformed into natural breakwaters at a wildlife refuge. The structures served to safeguard newly planted salt marsh vegetation from erosive waves. By the fall, these barriers effectively trapped sediment, partially burying themselves in the marsh. This innovative ecological restoration project showcased how recycled trees could enhance a living shoreline system, bolstering the marsh's resilience and self-protection.