Why not use storm debris in the marsh? Among other reasons, termites.

Tons of hurricane debris along the coastal parishes and a need for material to stabilize a disappearing coastline seem like a perfect match.

Although there has been some talk about placing the trees, concrete blocks and other nonhazardous material along coastal shorelines and marsh, officials say it's just not that easy or practical.

"The problem is people equate the Christmas tree program with transporting huge amounts of material," said Gerry Duszynski, acting assistant secretary of the state Department of Natural Resources Office of Coastal Restoration and Management.

The Christmas tree program offers discarded trees to coastal parishes for shoreline protection. The trees -- unflocked and shorn of ornaments -- are placed in holding fences to help dampen wave energy that can cause erosion along shorelines.

Hurricane waste, however, is a different issue, Duszynski said.