What can you do with your tree after the holidays? Other than burning your Christmas tree outdoors (if allowed where you live), the following are some additional ideas from Rosie Lerner, consumer horticulture specialist (retired), at Purdue University.
First of all, you’ll want to remove all tinsel, plastic, and other non-recyclable decorations. You can then use the greenery to provide food and cover for wildlife or chip it into mulch for landscape protection.
Winter birds will appreciate having recycled trees and garlands for cover, especially if you decorate them with bird-food ornaments. You'll need to secure the tree trunk or garland stems to the ground to prevent them from rolling away in winter winds. Attach to a stable support, such as a fence, or stake with wire or twine.
Decorate with wildlife-friendly ornaments such as suet, molded seeds, or disposable birdseed hangers, which are readily available from garden centers and bird supply shops. Homemade treats, including pine cones or stale bread smeared with peanut butter and rolled in birdseed, are also a hit. Be sure to keep these goodies out of reach of dogs and cats.
Christmas trees can also be recycled for mulch around your landscape. Chop or grind smaller branches for wood chips to use in flower, tree, and shrub beds. Larger branches can be cut into smaller bundles for winter protective mulch around newly planted perennials and small shrubs. Be sure to remove the branches next spring as the plants begin to grow again.
Many communities have special drop-off locations or pick-up services for discarded holiday trees. The trees are usually chipped for use as mulch in parks and other city properties. Check local newspapers or call your local street department for information.
Some natural resources experts say that if you own a private pond, or know someone who does (and who permits you), discarded trees can be sunk to improve fish habitat. Small fish use branches as escape areas from larger fish that would eat them. Simply tie a small nylon rope around the tree, secure it to a cinder block, and heave-ho! Alternatively, use a boat, or wait until a safe layer of ice has formed on the pond and place your tree where you would like it to sink after the ice thaws. A good depth for the sunken tree is one with no more than four to six feet of water above the top of the tree.
Note that in Indiana, this practice cannot be done on public lakes without a permit from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. Freshwater lakes are governed by the Lake Preservation Act (Indiana Code 14-26-2) and Indiana Administrative Code (312 IAC 11-4-7).
Source: purdue.edu
Photo Credit: keystone-international-livestock-exposition
Categories: Indiana, Livestock, Weather