.
Feed Zoo Knoxville's elephants with your tree trimmings
@ # State
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- The elephants at Zoo Knoxville may have a tasty solution to getting rid of your tree trimmings! The Zoo said Thursday that elephants Tonka, Jana and Edie each enjoy 200-300 pounds of tree material a day, and they can use East Tennesseans' help!
Zoo officials said to consider donating tree bits from those that have been cut down or significantly trimmed in your yard to help feed the elephants. Patrons can deliver their materials, including trunks, to the zoo at any time of day. Zoo employees may be able to pick up materials within 15 miles of the zoo.
To schedule a pickup or delivery, call 865-637-5331, ext. 1281. Trees should be untreated with any insecticides, and preferably one of the following species:
- Bradford pear
- Dogwood
- Hackberry
- Sugar Maple
- Silver Maple
- Elm
- Mulberry
- Chestnut Oak
- White Oak
- Hickory
- Eastern redbud
- River birch
- Hemlock
- Box Elder