The conservation groups have anchored around 4,000 Christmas trees in Oregon streams since 2012 to replenish the woody debris that used to be common in local waterways.
The trees slow the river current and give young fish a place to rest and hide from predators before they resume their journey out to the ocean. The trees also improve fish habitat by introducing a new food source for microorganisms at the bottom of the food chain.
Mike Gentry helps organize the tree collection events for the Tualatin Valley Trout Unlimited chapter. He said he’s seen young fish swim into the tree branches immediately after they’re placed in the stream.
“The fish sense even before we can get out of the water that we have created a little safe haven for them,” he said. “They know.”
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