Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree, How Do We Recycle Your Branches?

The Yuletide season has come to a close and things are started to get back to normal.  With the New Year ringing in, maybe it is time to think about taking down all your Christmas decorations.  The stockings are put away, the ornaments are packed, and the beautiful live tree is ready to be put out by the curb.  But is that really the best option for your tree.  Sure it is no longer Christmas but that doesn’t mean that your tree should be laid to rest in the garbage.  In this day and age of green living and recycling, there are so many other options out there to put your old Christmas tree to use.   Wildlife and birds like to feed off of pine trees so leaving it in an area in your yard that will allow for this is a great way to give back to nature.  You could chip your old tree and use it as mulch around other trees, shrubs and flower beds, or the branches could be used as cover  over bulbs and perennials.  Your old tree can also be used as fertilizer as the falling pine needles can lower the ph of the soil, which ban be beneficial to planting certain flowers or even strawberries.  These are just a few examples of things you can use your old Christmas tree around your home after the holidays.

While recycling trees at home is great, what if you live in an apartment or don’t have a yard that can accommodate it?  Not to worry, there are ways for you to recycle your Christmas tree as well.  Check out the National Christmas Tree Association’s web site, www.realchristmastrees.org, or contact your local city, county or state agency to find out information about recycling programs in your area.  If you purchased a tree that had a red ornament attached to it, it was grown by one of thousands of growers that are actively involved in tree recycling.  The ornament itself will have information on it regarding how to recycle your tree responsibly.  Besides, you would be surprised what communities are using your old trees for.  For example, Recycled trees can be used by the forestry service to improve fish habitat creating new healthy reefs.  They could also be used to make natural barriers in shallow water to reduce erosion or as a wave break.  So, before you put your tree in the trash, think green and reuse it.