Recycling Your Christmas Tree

Christmas is over and you need to take down your tree.  Do not just toss it in the trash. It deserves better than that and certainly has many uses after you take it out of the house!

      

But before you begin the recycle process, be sure to remove all lights and ornaments.  If you used "natural" decorations, such as strung popcorn or cranberries leave them on the tree to provide food for birds and animals.

1. If you have a chipper, run the tree through it.  The chips make great mulch.

 

2.  You can cut off the boughs and place them on the ground around your plants.   Save the trunk for a use in your garden as a trellis. 

3.  Move the tree in its stand outdoors for the winter where it can provide food and shelter for birds.

4.  The trees could be used as artificial fish attractors in ponds or lakes

5.  If you are in a hurry, just pile the trees in fields and forests for use as wildlife cover.

       Reuse your tree any way you can.  Remember it took 5 – 10 years to grow this tree.  Do not waste all of Mother Nature’s time for a few weeks of your pleasure.