Discarded Christmas trees sought in Amherst to feed goats

AMHERST — An Amherst business that uses goats to clear land is again accepting donations of used Christmas trees to feed the animals.

Hope Crolius, who runs Goat Girls Brush Clearing, said in an email that Amherst residents interested in disposing their trees can bring them to Many Hands Farm at 132 Pelham Road.

“Our herd will enjoy the many nutrients in the needles, boughs and bark of the trees,” she said.

Christmas trees contain vitamin C and other nutrients that help the goats get through the winter, and the needles on these trees can act as dewormers, according to Crolius.

Tinsel must be removed from the trees prior to drop off. Unlike previous years, no trees will be picked up at homes, Crolius said.

She said trees will be accepted until the end of January.

For more information, call Crolius at 461-6832.

Residents can also drop their trees off, at no cost, at the transfer station, 740 Belchertown Road, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Waste haulers are also expected to pick up trees left at curbside within the first two weeks of January.