When the holiday season is over, are you wondering what to do with old Christmas trees? Here are seven helpful suggestions for how to recycle, reuse, or donate your Christmas tree, with ideas for both real and artificial trees.
WHY RECYCLE MY OLD TREE?
Whether you have a real tree or an artificial Christmas tree…you may need to get rid of it after the holiday season. Real trees become a fire hazard once they dry out and can’t stay forever in your home. Sometimes artificial trees are just too old and worn out to keep using.
Everyone can practice creative ways to repurpose or recycle their old trees during this festive season. It is good for our communities and our earth.
7 CREATIVE IDEAS FOR HOW TO REPURPOSE OLD CHRISTMAS TREES
Here are some creative ways to give away or use holiday trees.
1. RECLAIM FOR FIREWOOD
If a real tree graces your home at Christmas time, use it for firewood.
Breath new life into the tree by chopping it up for firewood. If you don’t have an indoor fireplace that uses wood, you can save it for summer outdoor fire pits and campfires. You can also donate it to someone who has a fireplace or wood burning stove.
This is a practical way to get rid of your tree, and it will save you money too.
2. DIY SIMPLE FURNITURE
Recycle your real tree by making it into a creative DIY project.
If building furniture, bird feeders, and other items is something you enjoy, you can turn the tree into something completely different.
This idea will take tools and time, but you will impress your friends with the finished product. You can give these items as gifts for a money-saving option.
Turning a once decorative tree into a decorative small bedside table for a personalized corner or nifty restroom organizer for toiletries is a very fun and entertaining activity to do and a creative idea altogether.
Using all the parts of the tree, such as the thickness of the body or sturdiness of the branches, for support as the structure of the table or organizer will add a piece of more personal and unique furniture that is part of the household and a great conversation starter for any guest that can see it.
3. WILDLIFE HABITAT
Another excellent way for a tree to be re-used allowing it to become an animal sanctuary. This is helpful to the ecosystem.
Take the tree outside to your back yard, and you will be surprised how much the local birds and critters will love it. You can even decorate it with homemade bird feeders.
The trunk can be carved hollow in the middle and stuffed with seeds. Small nuts and fruits can be put inside the dead tree for animals like squirrels.
Some cities and counties may take old trees and use them for fish habitats in lakes, ponds, and rivers. The trees can also create soil erosion barriers in areas that need them.
4. REPURPOSE FOR HOME DECOR
If building furniture with your dead Christmas tree sounds too difficult, then try your hand at making some home decor items with the wood.
Wood slices can be used as trays and coasters.
Cut the wood into circular slices and sand it down smooth, leaving the bark on. Then paint the slice or add a clear varnish to protect the wood and seal it. Get even more creative with decoupage or use stencils. There are countless crafts you can do with wood.
Homemade coasters or wood ornaments make great Christmas gifts, so you could get a start on gifts for next year.
5. USE AS COMPOST
If you are wondering what to do with old Christmas trees and want an easy solution, use the old tree in your compost pile.
Live trees are biodegradable. Over time, the tree will become compost for your garden.
If you don’t have a compost pile, talk to friends or neighbors who might have one.
Whether to use the pine needles in the compost pile is a question that can go either way. Note that some people do not use pine needles in their compose, so those might need to be removed before composting.
6. RECYCLE TREES LOCALLY
Most communities offer free drop-off locations for old, dead Christmas trees. These recycling centers are usually located where the town allows for brush and yard waste. The trees will be recycled into mulch or compost.
Some towns even offer yard waste pickup for those who don’t have a way to transport their tree. Be sure to remove all Christmas lights, ornaments, and garland before you dispose of the tree.
7. ARTIFICIAL TREES FOR DECOR
If your artificial tree is at the end of its life, you may be surprised by what you can do with the tree.
Use the branches to make centerpieces for the table. You can bend the branches to create greenery wreaths. A pair of wire snips will make this easier.
No matter which option you choose, as you are deciding what to do with your old Christmas tree, just know that you are doing the world a favor by recycling.
Do you have other ideas for repurposing old trees? Share in the comments below.
Be sure to check out these other Christmas tree ideas while you are here:
- How to Keep a Live Christmas Tree Fresh
- Easy Christmas Decorating Tips and Tricks
- Paper Mache Star Christmas Ornament
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