If you bought a real Christmas tree this year, one of the problems you will face after the festivities is what to do with it.
Whereas artificial Christmas trees can be used again and again, a real one is a one-time deal. This is no small problem either – roughly eight million real trees are bought each year. Then, when Christmas is over, they are discarded, in bins or on the street. This is costly in terms of both taxpayer expense and the environment.
So, are there better options available for real trees when they are no longer needed as Christmas decorations? Yes, there are, and here are a few ways you can put yours to good use.
Use it as mulch/compost
The first idea is to make use of the tree in your garden, by creating homemade compost. Real Christmas trees are covered in pine needles, and they just happen to make for really good mulch. This can then be added to the soil around shrubs or trees, where it will do a lot to help keep it healthy. Mulch prevents the soil being eroded by rain and it also helps to prevent it from becoming compacted.
To make this mulch out of the tree needles, you will require a shredder plus protective gloves and glasses. Cut off the branches and then shred them one at a time. In addition to putting some on your soil, you can also add some to your compost heap. Be careful not to add too much though, because pine needles break down slowly.
Use the tree as a stake
Another great way a real Christmas tree can be utilised in the garden is by turning it into a stake. If you opt for this, you can still strip it of pine needs for composting, but keep the rest of the tree intact. Then it can be deployed as a frame to help beans, flowers or similar grow in the right direction. Some of them need to grow up the way if you want to get the best results, and the only way to achieve that is with a frame.
Not only will it be useful, but it will also make for an attractive addition to the garden.
Replant it
It is true that you will never use the tree as a festive decoration again, but that does not mean its life has to be over. Once Christmas has passed, why not consider replanting it in a garden pot? This is something that the Greenpeace environmental campaign group has been urging people to do for some time now. Plant it in well fertilised soil and you should find that even a tree that appears to be on its last legs can bounce back remarkably.
Of course, there is no absolute guarantee that the tree will make a recovery, but the chances are high that it will.
Create a bird feeder
If the roots do not recover despite your best efforts, do not despair. You can put food on the tree and use it as a way of enticing different types of birds to come to your garden. You will still need to have it planted in a pot and make sure that it is firmly embedded so it will survive strong winds.
There are plenty of different types of food that can be attached to it to create a natural bird feeder. One idea is to put string through pinecones and then dip them in peanut butter followed by bird seed. Another is to cut an orange in half before removing its flesh. Then make little holes for string and fill up the inside with seed. Fruit such as pears and apples can also be added, as birds love fruit.
Use it as an animal habitat
The winter months are rough times for many smaller animals. They struggle due to a lack of food as well as the harsh weather conditions. Something they really need to be able to survive the season is places to shelter – and that is our final suggestion for your old Christmas tree. Place it in a corner that will offer protection from predators and make sure it is securely in the ground.
Any of these ideas will be much better than abandoning your tree or throwing it out in January.
