Christmas Tree Recycling

Christmas is over and you're left packing up the lights and ornaments and wondering what to do with the Christmas tree . The first and most important thing to remember is to never burn your Christmas tree in a fireplace or wood stove. Pines, firs and other evergreens have a high content of flammable turpentine oils.  Burning the tree may contribute to creosote buildup and risk chimney fire.

Here are both general tips and options for recycling Christmas trees .

1. Curbside pick-up for recycling – Most areas will collect trees during the regular garbage pickup schedules in the two weeks following Christmas.  There are often requirements for size, removing ornaments, flocking, etc. Call for an appointment to have a non-profit in your area pickup your tree. Some boy-scout troops are offering a pickup service for a small donation.
2. Drop-off recycling – Take your tree to a drop off recycling center. Most counties have free drop-off locations throughout the county.
3. Remove the tree – The best way to avoid a mess removing your tree is to place a plastic tree bag underneath the stand when you set up the tree. You can hide it with a tree skirt. Then, when the holidays are done, pull the bag up around the tree stand and carry it outside.
4. Mulch – Tree Recycling/Mulching programs are a fast-growing trend in communities throughout the nation. A Christmas tree is biodegradable; its branches may be removed, chipped, and used as mulch in the garden. They chip and shred the trees, then make the mulch available for use in your garden.  Your hauler will notify you of pick-up dates in your area.
5. Soil erosion barriers – Some communities use Christmas trees to make effective sand and soil erosion barriers, especially for lake and river shoreline stabilization and river delta sedimentation management.
6. Fish feeders – Sunk into private fish ponds, trees make excellent refuge and feeding area for fish.
7. Bird feeders – Place the Christmas tree in the garden or backyard and use it as a bird feeder and sanctuary. Fresh orange slices or strung popcorn will attract the birds, and they can sit in the branches for shelter. Eventually the branches will become brittle and you can break the tree apart by hand or chip it in a chipper.
8. Paths for Hiking Trails – Some counties use the shredded trees as free and renewable material for nature paths that serve the needs of both the environment and hikers.