Westminster Professor Continues Unusual Post-Holiday Project

Dr. Clarence E. Harms, professor of biology at Westminster College, focuses on an unusual post-holiday project - saving live Christmas trees for animal food and habitat.

For the past five years, Harms has collected Christmas trees from local residents, and recycled them to the Westminster College Biology Field Station, affectionately called the Outdoor Laboratory on campus.

"Between now and the end of January, people can bring their live trees to the Hoyt parking lot, and place it off the pavement to the north," said Harms.  "I'll pick it up and transport it to the Biology Field Station, where it will be chipped for mulch or placed in a pile with other trees as an animal shelter.

"Since 1997, my classes, colleagues, and I have placed over 400 trees out there," continued Harms.  "It's important that all the tinsel be pulled from the tree, as this attracts birds who may suffer if they try to eat the glittery pieces."

Harms, who has been with Westminster College since 1969, earned his undergraduate degree from Tabor College, his master's from the University of Kansas, and his Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota.

For more information or personal tree pick-up in the Borough of New Wilmington, call Harms at his office at (724) 946-7207 or at his home at (724) 946-2981.

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