According to the National Christmas Tree Association, there are about 25 to 30 million real Christmas trees sold every year. With that being said, most people just throw away their Christmas tree right after the holiday, but there are several other things you can do instead of trashing it. There are ways to reuse and recycle the trees for future use.
Make Fresh Mulch
One of the easiest and most effective ways to reuse a Christmas tree is to rent a woodchipper and turn the tree into mulch for your garden. Fresh mulch can help to prevent weed growth in the spring, and over time it will decompose and create nutrient-rich fertilizer for your plants.
Insulate Flower Beds
The boughs of your Christmas tree can help insulate perennial flower beds and protect them from snow and frost damage. All you have to do is cut the boughs off the tree and lay them over your flower beds to keep them warm during the winter.
Give Birds a New Home
Not all birds fly south for the winter. Chances are, there are a few looking for food and shelter in your yard right now. A Christmas tree can serve as an ideal sanctuary for these birds during the coldest months of the year. Just place it outside in its stand and replace the ornaments with bird feeders. You can even make your own decorative feeders with pine cones, peanut butter and bird seed.
Firewood
Christmas trees are well-known for being flammable, and while you don’t want your tree to catch fire while it is still in use, it can be excellent for starting a fire. Once you have removed all decorations and lights you can begin chopping your tree into smaller, more manageable pieces. Depending on the size of your tree, you may be able to use the tree to make several different fires. It will also release a wonderful pine smell throughout your home!
If all else fails, you can always take your tree to a recycling center! Depending on where you live, your local recycling service may even offer curbside pick-up in the weeks following Christmas.
Cold Stream Farm is a wholesale tree and shrub nursery specializing in selling high-quality foliage. Browse our deciduous trees and shrubs to find the best plants and trees!
