Eco-Friendly Ways to Get Rid of Your Christmas Tree

The holidays are over, the decorations are packed up for another year, and you’re left with a Christmas tree that has seen better days. Once the novelty of “Christmas tree scent” has worn off and the annoyance of vacuuming up the tree’s needles has set in, you’re probably ready to get that tree out of your house ASAP. What should you do with your Christmas tree once the holidays are over? 

Well, as it turns out, there are actually a lot of things to do with a Christmas tree! Whether you decide to return it to nature or get crafty with it, check out these 3 eco-friendly ways to get rid of your Christmas tree. 

Eco-Friendly Christmas Tree Disposal Ideas

Mulch your Christmas Tree.

Pine needles (also known as pine straw) make great mulch for certain areas of your yard. If you have a wood chipper (or can borrow a neighbor’s) you can even turn your tree into wood chip mulch as well! If you don’t want to deal with processing the tree, not to worry—you can recycle it. Just check out these tree recycling opportunities in Fulton and Gwinnett counties to find your nearest dropoff location. Your tree will be turned into mulch and might end up adorning a public flower bed near you. 

Create a wildlife sanctuary. 

Winter can be a hard time for wildlife. If you have enough room, you can sit your undecorated tree outside in the stand to provide shelter for birds. The birds will appreciate a cozy place to get out of the elements, and you can enjoy birdwatching right in your backyard. For bonus bird-points, hang a couple of feeders from the tree, or create “garlands” of pinecones covered in peanut butter and birdseed to decorate the tree. This is a great project to do with kids, especially if they’re a bit sad that the holidays are over. 

Christmas trees also make great fish habitats! Many communities gather Christmas trees to sink in lakes and ponds, especially ones that are man-made and therefore have fairly flat bottoms. The trees give young fish a place to hide from predators, which helps keep the ecosystem of the pond healthy. Check with your county for information on donating your tree.

Use Christmas tree branches as plant stakes. 

If you grow peas, beans, or other legumes in your garden, make sure to keep the branches of your Christmas tree. You can strip the branches of twigs and use them as plant stakes. Legumes thrive when they can climb towards the light, and the knobby, rough shapes of evergreen branches give the shoots plenty of opportunities to grip the stake as they climb. 

However you decide to get rid of your Christmas tree, we hope your year is off to a great start. Give us a call at 770-923-0387 or check out our residential lawn care services to give your yard a head start, so you can enjoy your outdoor spaces more this year.