Has Popham’s effort to save dunes with Christmas trees paid off?

TIMES RECORD • July 3, 2024

Last winter, high water levels and erosive waves flattened the dunes along Popham Beach State Park, diminishing a front-line defense for upland habitats. Quickly, the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry and Maine Geological Survey devised a plan to rebuild beach elevation using recycled Christmas trees.By late March, 450 trees were lined up in four rows, stretching along 2,000 feet of the beach in Phippsburg. Popham and Pemaquid beaches tried a similar effort in 2023 using washed-up logs. “I would say the pines have been more effective than the driftwood,” said Sean Vaillancourt, Popham Beach State Park manager. “But, we’ll see how things pan out after hurricane season hits in late August.”