How to Recycle or Repurpose Your Christmas Tree

With the whirlwind of the holidays behind us, a return to normalcy typically begins with the removal of holiday decorations and Christmas trees.  Worldwide there are over 90 million live trees sold annually.  The majority of these trees are grown as a crop on over one million acres of land and after cutting 2 – 3 seedlings are planted for every tree harvested. They are certain a sustainable product, what becomes of these trees after the holidays.

Some end up in the land fill, but with a little more care, your tree can be recycled or repurposed.  Many cities offer curbside recycling pickup, but on certain days and for a limited amount of time.  There are restrictions too, trees wrapped in plastic bags or containing decorations or any kind of metal will not be picked up for recycling.  These trees are turned into mulch or compost.

You could also drop it off at your local recycling center or make your own mulch with it if you have access to a wood chipper.  For all of you lake lovers, you can place cut up pieces of your Christmas tree on the lake bottom to create places for fish hide or check with your state’s department of Natural Resources to see if they need trees for this purpose.  Trees can also help reduce shoreline erosion.  The branches and trunk provide barriers to help lessen the amount of sand washed away by the water.

Here are some other suggestions to reuse or recycle your holiday tree.

-Keep It

Find a suitable place in your yard to let the tree decompose naturally.  Or, consider keeping it in the stand outside and giving the birds some protection from the wind and cold. 
Decorate for the birds and other critters with strings of popcorn, hang fruit slices and peanut butter covered pine cones from its branches.

-Use it in the Garden

Trim off the branches and place them over perennial beds to help reduce frost heaving.  Use the trunk in the spring to create a trellis or tomato stakes.

-Toss it in the Fireplace

Use dry branches as kindling to start a fire and cut the large pieces for next year’s firewood.

-Decorate Your House

Just because you want your living room back to normal doesn’t mean you still can’t enjoy the scent of evergreen.  Cut off the branches and use them to make winter wreaths or garland to decorate both inside and outside your house.

You could also create a center piece by putting cut branches into candle holders or vases filled with water then add some berries or flowers to add a little more interest.

-Do an Art Project

Create photo holders or coasters using the tree trunk. 

Photo holders:
Cut the Christmas tree trunk into two-inch discs, then drill a tiny hole in the centers. Next, glue wire photo holders into the holes. For extra pizzazz, decorate them with beads.

Coasters:
“If your Christmas tree is large enough, you can cut the trunk into ½-inch rounds for coasters,” says Cano-Murillo. After you’ve cut the trunk into rounds, personalize them with family photos or print out monograms using your favorite font, then add a glaze.

-Make Potpourri

Combine dry pine needles with other pleasant-smelling ingredients such as cinnamon sticks, orange peels, or clove and mix with about ten drops of pine oil and enjoy!