WYOMING — The National Forest Service offers creative ways to recycle Christmas trees this year.
There are plenty of alternatives beyond disposing of a tree in a landfill. The U.S. Forest Service – Caribou-Targhee National Forest Facebook page shares six ways to repurpose Christmas trees and in effect nourish the surrounding soil and natural habitat.
- Soil Erosion Barriers: Christmas trees make effective sand and soil erosion barriers.
- Fish Feeders: Sunk into private fish ponds, trees make an excellent refuge and feeding area for fish.
- Bird Feeders: Place the Christmas tree in the garden or backyard and use it as a bird feeder and sanctuary.
- Mulch: A Christmas tree is biodegradable and its branches may be removed, chipped and used as mulch in the garden.
- Paths for Hiking Trails: Shredded trees make great free, renewable and natural path material for hiking trails.
- Living, Rooted Trees: Get a rooted tree and plant it in the yard. It’s best to dig the hole while the soil is still soft and plant the tree immediately after Christmas.
American Forests also offers tips for turning Christmas trees into festive decorations.
- Relax by the Fire: The trunk can be sawed into logs and burned in your fireplace. Just make sure to not burn the branches, since they can send off sparks.
- Smell Like Christmas Year-Round: A DIY air freshener can be made by crushing up the pine needles and putting it into a bowl of potpourri or into sachets.
- Sippin’ on Tea: Another use for pine needles is to make them into tea by steeping the needles in boiling water, and then straining it into cups to drink.
The Town of Jackson offers free Christmas tree composting for all residents until Jan. 31, 2024.
