Live Trees
I switched to live Christmas trees some years ago when I started spending the holidays at my little house in the French mountains. The house is small and cozy, but the property, on the slopes of the Pyrenees, is large. So, I have the luxury of disposing of the tree by digging a hole in the soil and tucking in its roots. Not everyone has a place to plant a live tree though. This was my situation in San Francisco and other towns I’ve lived in. I did a little research into different things to do with cut trees after Christmas and found more than a few great ideas.
City Services
San Francisco is a progressive city and organizes a curbside, post-Christmas tree pick-up. The trees are ground up and turned into mulch for use in city parks, so you can feel good about this option. Many cities offer a similar service in the weeks following Christmas, so keep a look out. In San Francisco, we just put the trees out beside our weekly recycling bins. When I was living in Trinidad in Northern California, there was no tree pick-up. The county offered a tree recycling center. It was a bit more trouble since you had to transport it yourself, but the end-result is just as good for the planet. Alternatively, anyone with a wood shredder can make mulch themselves.
Bird or Wildlife Feeders
A cut Christmas tree can also have a second life serving wildlife. I used to put mine in the backyard and add suet balls to the red glass ornaments. It’s fun to string berries or popcorn too to give the birds a holiday treat. No garden? You may be able to find a wildlife refuge or zoo that will be happy to use your tree for wildlife feeding. Some county-operated fishing spots let you sink former Christmas trees in lakes and streams to provide protection and food sources for fish and other animals. So take a look at your options. There’s no reason for your beautiful tree to wind up in the trash.
