Learn / Ask The Landscape Professional
Now that Christmas is over, the used Christmas trees are showing up along the roads to be picked up. I'm wondering what I can do with my old tree other than throw it away. Doug
Answer
That's a great question. My favorite thing
to do with my used tree is to remove all of
the decorations, tinsel, hooks, etc. and take
it outside and place it near my bird feeders.
The birds love the extra shelter the Christmas
tree provides and it will work all winter long.
Be sure to look for a good way to secure the base
of the tree so it doesn't fall over or blow away.
Before the ground freezes solid, you could dig it
in or perhaps tie it to a building or tie it to
stakes in the ground. If your tree stand is sturdy,
leave it in the stand outside all winter.
After you have secured the tree firmly, a really
fun thing to do is to add some wildlife
treats onto the branches. Birds and squirrels
love pinecones stuffed with peanut
butter hung from branches, popcorn threaded
on strings draped around the tree, suet
blocks (which come in all shapes and sizes)
tied to sturdy limbs, stale bread tied with
colorful ribbons, even fruit like orange wedges
attached with strings. Experiment with
different things and see what kinds of birds
and wildlife show up. Be sure to locate your
"tree buffet" near a window so you can watch
all of the fun - you will have months of
entertainment! Remember to put out fresh
water for the birds in the winter. Even though
the water will eventually freeze, keep replacing
it so the birds have a steady supply
of drinking water. If you have rabbits around,
lay your tree down on its side and it will
provide shelter for the rabbits all winter long!
Another good use for Christmas tree branches
is perennial garden mulching
insulation, especially if you have some
perennials that are marginal in this growing zone.
(Although the way this winter is going so far,
it's hard to imagine any plants needing
insulation from the cold!).
Good luck, help wildlife and have fun all winter long!
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About Linda Lillie
Linda K. Lillie is the President of Sprigs & Twigs, Inc, the premier
landscape design and maintenance, tree care, lawn care, stonework, and carpentry
service provider in southeastern Connecticut since 1997. She is a graduate of
Connecticut College in Botany, a Connecticut Master Gardener and a national
award winning landscape designer for her landscape design and landscape installation work.
