After the holidays are over, your natural Christmas tree needs to retire. It can find a second career in a lot of conservation-friendly ways, according to Missouri Department of Conservation Department (MDC) foresters.
A news release says one of the advantages of using live Christmas trees is that they can be recycled in a variety of ways to benefit the environment, wildlife and even people. So instead of kicking it to the curb for trash pickup, why not put that tree to work?
MDC Community Forester Mark Grueber says most live trees can be chipped and turned into mulch, which you can use to return organic matter to the soil. As the mulch breaks down it helps keep soil moist and cool during the summer and warmer during the winter.
Many municipalities will offer mulching services, and residents can drop of their trees and return later to collect the mulch. Or, if homeowners have no use for it, the mulch might find a place in public works projects to benefit the entire community.
Along the same lines, gardeners can cut boughs and branches from their trees and place over perennial beds to help protect from frost and snow. Pine needles are very moisture- and mold-resistant, thanks to their waxy qualities.
Used Christmas trees also can give a holiday gift to wildlife, according to Grueber. He says they are great for habitat, so he urges you to place them in a quiet corner of your yard to provide cover for wildlife or stand them up and place bird feeders on them for winter feeding.
MDC Community Forester Danny Moncheski offers an idea for outdoor lovers who like to camp or spend time by the outdoor fire pit in winter.
He says try filling a coffee can or container with needles and small twigs to make an excellent year-round fire starter. Cover the twigs in melted wax to increase the shelf life and make it more effective. A can of needles- and wax-covered twigs can make a great gift for the camper in your life.
And there are plenty of craft ideas that make use of post-holiday trees. Grueber said there are plenty of ideas to be discovered on the internet. The branches can find a use as part of a potpourri mix or be woven into an after-holiday wreath. Discs cut from the trunk, dried in the oven and painted can create a multitude of things- such as drink coasters, refrigerator magnets, wall art or even ornaments for next year’s tree.
How about creating a home for fish? Landowners can take advantage of used trees to help fish in ponds on their property. The trees benefit some of the most popular fish that anglers like to pursue, including largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish and crappie.
Since these fish typically spawn in shallow water, MDC recommends tying the tree to a cement block and submerging it at a depth of four-to-seven feet. This gives emerging fish easy access to the cover. There is no need to cut it up; the entire tree is best for creating a fish structure. But make sure you remove all traces of decorations, tinsel and/or garlands.