The best time to trim trees in Texas is in early spring, just before the buds start to grow. Before you let your landscapers haul off your big tree limbs and trimmings, consider donating these fresh, healthy cuttings to your Dallas Zoo’s BROWSE program.
“Browse” describes the tender shoots, twigs, and leaves of trees and shrubs that animals use for food. Many animals at the Dallas Zoo, like elephants and giraffes, eat hundreds of pounds of browse every single day. Giraffes will even strip the bark off the branches to eat!
Browse donations have many other uses besides food and are used as enrichment in many of the habitats. Smaller hoofed animals, primates, and other mammals enjoy playing with or gnawing on small branches. Various sized branches can be used for perching in habitats and rodent-like species can use it to keep their teeth healthy.
“A year ago, we revamped our browse collection program based on the opportunity to source more of our browse locally, which is better for our animals, more cost effective, creates less waste, and allows the public to connect with and contribute to the Zoo in a new way,” said Kerri Slifka, Dallas Zoo’s Curator of Animal Nutrition.
While not every variety of plant or tree is accepted, many species common to Dallas are on the list such as Bradford Pear, Mulberry, Cedar Elm, Honeysuckle, Sycamore, Palm fronds, and more.
DONATION SPECIFICATIONS:
1. Whole branches are best, five to eight feet in length.
2. Only fresh branches. No deadwood, and no dead leaves.
3. No tree trunks or thick limbs. Exception: large root balls can be donated if digging out an entire tree.
4. No trees or plants that have been treated with pesticides, even organics, as it may be harmful to the animals.
Visit https://www.dallaszoo.com/support-the-zoo/browse-program-donate-trees-for-animals/ for a complete list of accepted trees and to complete an electronic form to coordinate your donation. Submit your information prior to scheduling your yard work to schedule a pickup that ensures your branches are fresh for the animals to enjoy.