The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Coastal Management has issued guidance for property owners, organizations, and towns planning to use natural Christmas trees in dune restoration efforts.
Natural, undecorated Christmas trees can be used as an alternative to traditional sand fencing. Sand fencing is typically made from wood or synthetic materials and serves as a barrier on beaches or dunes to help trap blowing sand. The Division states that trees should be placed according to state rules for sand fencing, with the exception that they must not be positioned closer to the ocean, sound, river, or shoreline than the base of the nearest dune.
Placement guidelines specify that Christmas trees should not obstruct public access to the beach, interfere with recreational activities, block emergency vehicle routes, or be put on private property without permission. Trees are to be set at an angle no less than 45 degrees relative to the shoreline and spaced at least seven feet apart. If sand fencing already exists in an area, there must also be a minimum seven-foot gap between each tree and any fence sections. Only single rows of trees are allowed.
The Division notes that unvegetated beach berms or newly created “starter dunes” do not count as natural dunes. Therefore, placing trees at the seaward base of these berms or starter dunes or directly on open beach areas is not permitted.
Those involved are encouraged to review standards outlined in rule 15A NCAC 07K .0212 before proceeding. “If the proposed layout of trees along the beachfront does not meet these criteria, applicants should submit a CAMA Minor Permit application for review. For more information, please contact the local CAMA permitting authority or appropriate DCM district office prior to tree placement,” according to the Division’s statement.
Additionally, residents are advised to check with their local government offices regarding recycling programs for natural Christmas trees.
The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality manages and protects natural resources throughout the state via specialized divisions such as air and water resources. It regulates environmental matters including coastal protection and waste management while providing data access and assistance through regional offices supporting local oversight (official website). The agency also promotes public education about environmental compliance and encourages stewardship across North Carolina (official website).
Its mission includes delivering science-based stewardship aimed at benefiting all North Carolinians’ health and prosperity (official website). Regulatory authority extends over air, land, water, and coastal environments statewide (official website). Services include permit issuance, environmental law enforcement, waste management oversight, and air quality regulation (official website). The department’s central office is located in Raleigh at 217 West Jones Street (official website), having been formed in 2015 following restructuring from its predecessor agency (official website).
