Those with an environmental mind know that it’s wise and prudent to recycle what we can no longer use. But what you can do with your holiday tree depends greatly on what kind of tree you have. If you have an artificial tree, you have fewer options for recycling. A real tree, however, gives you considerably more ways to recycle it.
If your artificial tree has simply run its course and is no longer reusable, don’t add it to your curbside recycling—it can’t be recycled that way.
Instead, consider dismantling it and repurposing the individual parts. For example, individual branches can be reshaped into a wreath or other holiday décor.
The topmost part of the tree can be reused as a mini holiday tree. Some creativity will go a long way to keeping all that plastic from ending up in a landfill.
There is always the option of donating an artificial tree you can no longer use. Retirement homes, homeless shelters, thrift stores, or fire stations are all good possibilities for places that could use some holiday cheer.
If you wish to purchase an artificial tree, consider opting for a second-hand one. Shop your local thrift stores or visit garage sales for these.
While it's nearly impossible to find artificial trees that are not made from PVC, some are made from recycled PVC. This is a better option if you're buying your first artificial tree or replacing one that doesn’t quite exude that holiday spirit anymore.
Your city may have drop-off locations for real trees or offer to pick them up along with your curbside trash and recycling. Often, they will turn those trees into mulch to be used in public areas. Sometimes they will use them for erosion control along bayous, riverbanks, and sand dunes on beaches. Be aware that your city will likely require the tree to be free of flocking and ornaments. They may also require you to cut the tree in half if it is taller than six feet.
If you have access to a woodchipper, you could create your own mulch. Mulch will aid your garden, shrubs, and trees by keeping moisture in the soil. That mulch will break down and supply nutrients. Even just collecting the pine needles and using them as mulch is beneficial. Pine needles dry quickly and decompose slowly, making them an excellent moisture-free and mold-free mulch for ground-covering crops like strawberry plants. A mulched tree is the holiday gift that keeps on giving.
While it’s not recommended to use holiday trees as firewood in your home, they can be safely used as campfire wood outside. When wood with a lot of pitch and sap is burned, it can release toxic smoke in your home as well as putting your chimney at risk.
The ash from a burned tree can also be useful mixed into your compost. Wood ash contains important nutrients like potassium and lime that help plants thrive. They are also useful in keeping insects away.
The boughs from your tree can be placed strategically in your vegetable garden to protect your budding plants from winter freezes or the dreaded late freeze in early spring.
If you own private land, drop your tree into your pond to provide a habitat for fish. Smaller fish can use the cover to hide from larger predator fish and grow their population. Be aware of where you drop your tree though, as a submerged tree will be a haven for snagged fishing lures.
Rather than buying plastic plant stakes, use branches from your tree as support. Tie the plant to the stake using something soft that won’t cut into your plant, like nylon hose or strips of cloth.
Another creative use is to cut the trunk into thin slices to use as coasters. Wait until the trunk is dry to prevent the wood from splitting. Varnish the discs to seal them. Now you’ve got something unique and useful for yourself or as a gift for someone else.
Whether real or artificial, when you recycle or reuse your tree, you’re reducing your impact on the environment. Every action you take makes a difference. For more ideas on what you can do at home to help the environment, check out the Take Action at Home page.
