New York Uses 250 Christmas Trees as Breakwaters to Protect Jamaica Bay Salt Marsh

New York City has repurposed 250 discarded Christmas trees as natural breakwaters in Jamaica Bay’s wildlife refuge. The trees were positioned to shield newly planted salt‑marsh vegetation from erosive waves. Over the summer, the structures trapped sediment, and by fall they were partially buried in the marsh, effectively becoming part of the shoreline. The project demonstrates that recycled trees can serve as low‑cost, self‑sustaining barriers that enhance a living shoreline’s resilience. The trees’ bulk and shape reduce wave energy, allowing sediment to accumulate and stabilize the marsh. The initiative offers a model for other coastal communities seeking affordable, ecologically friendly erosion control while recycling holiday waste.