How To Recycle Your Christmas Tree

What to do with the Christmas tree? The presents have been opened; the lights, tinsel, and ornaments have been returned to their boxes for another year. Americans purchase between 30 and 35 million Christmas trees each year, approximately 93 percent of which are currently recycled. There a several way to recycle your Christmas tree. 

1. Place the tree in the yard. the birds will enjoy it, especially if you decorate it with birdseed hangers, suet, and other feeds for the birds.
2. Cut your Christmas tree into small pieces. The longer branches can be uses to stake vegetables and flowers in the spring.
3. Transform the trunk of the tree into a trellis for climbing flowers and vegetables.
4. Use the branches as mulch for your perennial plants.
5. Gather other Christmas trees from your neighbors and create a windbreak for new plants.
6. A lot of cities have a designated area for you to take your Christmas tree; they then chop the trees into mulch. The mulch is used to create wildlife habitat, sand dune restoration, playground materials, paths and walkways, lake and river shoreline stabilization, prevent beachfront erosion, as well as landscaping and gardening. If you have access to a wood chipper, you can chip your tree and use the mulch for your flowers.
7. Create fish habitat by placing the used Christmas tree in your favorite fishing pond or lake. There are many reasons why this method of tree disposal can be good for the environment. Just make sure it is permitted at the pond or lake of your choosing.
8. Living trees can be donated to your community and school organizations for replanting.
9. Precautions should be taken: do not burn your tree in the fireplace; they tend to burn to hot, and produce creosote. Burning outside creates air pollution, and a possible fire hazard. Remove all ornaments and lights. Do not put your tree into a plastic trash bag; leave it in its natural state.

Recycling your Christmas tree gives your community a year round present. The recycled trees create more manageable and healthy yards. Create temporary homes for birds, fish, and other wildlife. The mulch is also beneficial in controlling erosion.