The holidays will soon be over, and now it’s time for the big question: what to do with that Christmas tree? Sure, you can throw it out with the garbage, but why not be more creative and sustainable in your approach? After all, you don’t want to waste this natural resource just because the festive season is over. There are plenty of ways to ensure your Christmas tree gets reused or recycled! In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the most creative and sustainable ways to dispose of your real Christmas tree so you can make sure it gets reused or recycled rather than sent to a landfill.
You Can Use Your Old Christmas Tree as Fire Wood.
After Christmas and you take down your tree, don’t just throw it away! There are many sustainable and creative ways to dispose of your real Christmas tree. One way is to use it as firewood.
If you have a fireplace or a wood-burning stove, why not use your old Christmas tree and burn it for fuel? Of course, you can also use the branches to create kindling for a campfire or a nice winter bonfire with some neighbors over. Either way, give your tree a second life and stay warm simultaneously!
Use Your Old Christmas Tree as Fish Food in a Pond.
Christmas trees are an excellent source of fish nutrients and can help promote growth and health in pond ecosystems. Sink the tree into the pond, ensuring it is securely anchored. The tree will eventually decompose, providing valuable nutrients to the pond’s inhabitants.
If you have a large pond or lake on your property, this is an ideal way to dispose of your Christmas tree. Not only will you be helping to nourish the local wildlife, but you’ll also enjoy watching the fish feast on their festive feast! (Remember to remove all tinsel and decorations from your tree before you opt for this method.)
Create Wooden Gifts from Your Old Christmas Tree
If you’re looking for a creative and sustainable way to dispose of your Christmas tree, why not try making coasters or wooden ornaments out of it?
Here’s how to make coasters:
1. Start by cutting your tree into thin slices, making sure that each piece is roughly the same thickness.
2. Next, sand down the edges of each slice to create a smooth finish.
3. Once your slices are sanded, it’s time to start creating your coasters! You can glue them directly onto cork boards or use adhesive coaster pads.
4. Once your coasters are assembled, you can add any finishing touches you like – paint them, stain them, or even decorate them with holiday themes.
5. And that’s it! Your upcycled Christmas tree coasters are now ready to use and enjoy!
To make Christmas ornaments from your old Christmas tree, slice the trunk of the tree and sand the slices the same as you would for the coasters. Then, you can use paints, ribbons, pictures, or wood-burning tools to create beautiful designs in the ornaments to give for gifts next year!
Make a Hügelkultur Garden Bed Using Your Old Christmas Tree
Hugelkultur is the composting method used for large deadfall or old logs that can be buried and turned into a fantastic raised garden bed! The buried wood is a perfect way to store water and nutrients for an extended period, as it will take years for the wood to decompose fully.
Each year, the decomposing wood feeds the soil with valuable nutrients. This is also ideal in a deep garden bed where you don’t want to purchase much soil to fill the bed. Logs will easily take up half the space and feed your plants for many seasons! So not only is it good for the environment, but it can also save you money on watering costs.
To make your own hügelkultur garden bed:
Remove the branches from your Christmas tree and slice the trunk into smaller portions.
Place the larger trunk pieces in a soil pit or a deep garden bed (like a garden trough), and cover them with the branches.
Finish the pile with leaves and garden compost, then cover it with soil. The branches will help hold the soil in place and provide an excellent source for your garden plant roots to hold firmly to.
You can plant whatever you like in your new garden bed, but we recommend native plants or other drought-tolerant species that will require less watering.
Make Homemade Pine Cleaner and Disinfectant Using Old Christmas Tree Pine Needles
While it’s not reasonable to suggest using an entire Christmas tree (that’d be a LOT of cleaners!) to make pine cleaner, this is an excellent idea for people who are already recycling their Christmas tree and want to use the pine needles in creative ways. Pine needles are an excellent natural disinfectant and have antibacterial properties. They also have a pleasant smell that can help to freshen up your home.
To make your cleaner, all you need is white vinegar, pine needles from your Christmas tree, a Mason jar, and a spray bottle. Take a few small branches from your Christmas tree and remove the needles. Fill the Mason jar with the needles and then pour the white vinegar onto the top. Place the jar in a dark, cool place for a couple of weeks. Once steeped for a couple of weeks, filter the pine needles from the vinegar solution and add vinegar to a spray bottle. You can add a few drops of lemon or fur essential oil for an extra kick.
You can use this cleaner on surfaces throughout your home, including countertops, floors, and the bathroom. It’s a great way to keep your home clean and smelling fresh during the holiday season!
Compost Your Christmas Tree
One of the most sustainable and earth-friendly ways to dispose of your real Christmas tree is to compost it. You can cut your tree into small pieces and add them to your compost bin or pile. Christmas trees are an excellent carbon source for your compost, which is essential for composting.
Composting is a great way to reduce waste and give back to the earth. It’s also a great way to recycle your tree and use it as a valuable resource for your garden. If you don’t have a compost bin or pile, you can easily create one using simple materials like wire mesh or chicken wire.
You’ll want to cut your Christmas tree into small pieces so you can turn it regularly in a pile, so it decomposes evenly. You can also add other organic matter like leaves, grass clippings, and kitchen scraps to help speed up the process. You’ll have nutrient-rich compost perfect for your garden in just a few months!
Mulch Your Christmas Tree
Mulching your Christmas tree is a great way to give it a second life and help your garden or landscaping.
There are many benefits to mulching, including the following:
-Improving soil health
-Reducing water usage
-Suppressing weeds
-Providing nutrients for plants
To mulch your Christmas tree, you’ll need a mulcher. Some people own them, and some people choose to rent them. Additionally, some cities have mulching services that allow you to take the Christmas tree to a location, have it mulched, and then you can haul it home to spread in your garden!
Here at Premier Nursery, we sell the best Christmas tree for your home, inspire your decorations, and inform you how to dispose of it sustainably. Don’t hesitate to contact us or visit one of our two locations to learn more about our exclusive selection of Christmas trees!
