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Re-purposing your real Christmas tree

© LUM3N/Pixabay

As December comes to a close and many of us start to think about the new year, you may be wondering what to do with your Christmas tree. It is estimated that over 8 million trees are sold in the UK each year, and that can be a lot of potential waste! Here are some ideas for ways to make sure your tree doesn’t end up in landfill.

Recycle for charity

Many charities now run Christmas tree recycling schemes where they collect your tree in exchange for a donation. The collections are often done by volunteers and usually start in the first week of January. Try searching the term ‘christmas tree recycling scheme for charity’ on the internet to see if there are any near to you, or check your local paper.

Green gold

If you have a garden, you might also have a green waste bin. These are usually used for natural, pesticide-free garden waste and grass clippings. Once collected, they are taken to a composting site and are used in a variety of different ways including being made into nutrient-rich compost. If you have the tools for it, you could (carefully) cut your tree down to size and pop it in your green waste bin. Just make sure to take off all decorations so it can be processed easily. 

Wood chips

Feeling chipper

Many councils run a scheme that turns your tree into lovely wood chippings for use in local parks and green spaces. Head to your local authority website to see if they’re running a scheme or try the Recycle Now website.

Christmas critters

Why not use your old tree as a festive wildlife hideaway for minibeasts? You can use the branches and chopped up trunk, bound together and placed somewhere in your garden. A bit like our insect hotel activity, it can be a great way to attract wildlife to your garden. The spaces made by piling the sticks and branches together are perfect spots for invertebrates to shelter.

Pine needles

In the garden

If you’re lucky enough to have a garden, or know someone who does, you might want to get creative with your tree. You could try stripping the fronds and using these as a mulch for plants. The needles are ericaceous though, meaning that when they eventually rot down, they are acidic, so only pop the fronds on plants that like those conditions. Plants such as blueberries, rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias and heathers would be happy for the needles! The leftover trunk could also be a useful support for climbing plants come spring, so the whole tree is used.

Did you know? In the north west of England, Fylde Council use donated Christmas trees to help extend the dunes, helping them to improve the sea defence! You can read about it here.  

Finally, why not try renting a Christmas tree next year? These trees are often grown by local nurseries from seed and potted on each year, so you have a real living tree delivered in a pot! They can often be used 10 times or more before they become too big, after which they are planted and grown be used as large ‘village green’ Christmas trees.

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