A New Twist on an Old Tree

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The many lives of a Christmas tree.

While driving through town on a blustery New Year's Day, I saw dozens of discarded Christmas trees blowing around like tumbleweeds on the snow. Why not recycle our cut Christmas trees? With a little imagination we can extend their usable life. Here are just a few ways we can reuse them:

As a deluxe bird feeder

After removing decorations, bring the tree outside. Either leave it in the stand or stick the base through the snow and into the ground. Decorate the branches with seed balls, suet, popcorn and cranberry strings, and apple or orange slices. Smear peanut butter on the branches. This can be great fun for the whole family, and the birds will love it.

As a habitat for wildlife

Put the tree near your bird feeder for wind protection and for cover from predators. Rabbits also benefit from a brushy shelter. If you have a fish pond, you could use your tree as a fish shelter. With nylon rope, attach a cement block to the tree for weight. When the pond is well frozen over, select a site and leave the tree on the ice. In the spring, the tree will sink and provide fish with a safe refuge and ideal feeding conditions.

As erosion control

Christmas trees have been used extensively for beach erosion control, and they can also be used to slow erosion in ravines. If you have a gorge where water carries away precious soil, use a stake to attach your tree in the water's path. The tree will trap soil and organic debris.

As a creative project

Make sachets and potpourris from aromatic needles and branch tips. Balsam needles are the longest lasting. The tree's trunk can be made into candlesticks, bird feeders, birdhouses, or decorative reindeer for next year's celebration.

In the garden

Pine branches make an effective mulch for tender perennials, roses and strawberries, protecting them froth the harsh winter. Branches work well in windy spots where lighter mulches blow away. The trunk can be used whole as an edging for the garden or split for stakes. Some garden centers will chip the tree for use as mulch. If you have a fireplace or wood-burning stove, you could cut up your tree, burn it some cold night and spread the ashes on the garden in spring.

Any way you choose to do it, reusing your tree has got to be better than those New Year's Day tumbleweeds.

—Helen HendricksonChardon, OH

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