After the holidays, when area residents are taking down their Christmas gear and festive lights, some may wonder what to do with their real Christmas trees. Richmond City Hall is hosting a real Christmas tree drop-off now until Jan. 19. The drop-off is in Richmond City Hall’s north parking lot. There are many benefits to donating a live tree to a drop-off area. When dropping off your tree, be sure to first take off all the lights and ornaments. The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) said some discarded natural trees submerged in area lakes and ponds. Once submerged, these trees offer habitat for a variety of native fish species, according to mdc. mo.gov. “Submerged Christmas trees make great underwater cover for smaller fish and aquatic invertebrates,” said MDC Fisheries Biologist Brian McKeage. Don’t want to donate your tree this year? Try some of these ideas from www.wildlifetrusts. org. Compost If you have your own green waste or compost bin, the trees can be taken and…