The Staten Island Zoo demonstrated that Christmas trees could be used for much more than just decoration over the weekend.
Staten Islanders dropped off their used trees at the Staten Island Zoo in West Brighton on Sunday.
The Zoo asked for the donations saying they would be used to enhance the habitat of its animals.
Zoo employees asked people only to bring live trees without any lights or ornaments which could be harmful to animals.
"Animal enrichment is really awesome, and it gives the animals another purpose instead of just our amusement. So, to say, and being an ambassador for their species," said Dawn Lilenfeld-Saada, who donated a tree.
The zoo also accepted cardboard wrapping paper rolls and gift bags to use in its animal enrichment program.