Christmas has passed and it’s time to take down the tree. Instead of tossing it, consider extending its season with these creative methods.
Malachi Leo, Planner in SAWS Conservation
Each year, about 33 to 36 million trees are produced in America solely for the purpose of becoming your Christmas tree. And with so many varieties of pine, you have more options than ever to express your holiday cheer.
But what happens after the tinsel is taken down?
Here are some fun and clever ideas to use your Christmas tree long after it’s served its purpose — and appreciate the 10 years that went into growing it.
Pine straw mulch
We’d be amiss if we didn’t encourage you to use this opportunity to make mulch. Pine needle mulch is one of the most widely used mixes, and for good reason. Pine needle mulch helps keep weeds at bay, maintains moisture in your soil and insulates it from extreme temperatures, introduces nutrients to soil as it breaks down, and is very easy to work with and spread.
You can shred the needles using scissors or a lawnmower. We recommend 1 to 2 inches of mulch for your garden beds, and no more than 2 inches of mulch around trees. Remember never place mulch within 2-3 inches of the tree trunk. Mulching is best done in early fall and late spring.
Rustic wood coasters
Use the trunk of the tree to make rustic coasters! It’s as simple as sawing slices from the trunk. Then, sand the top and bottom to make sure the surface is level. You can also apply a clear varnish, but it’s okay to leave the wood untreated. Because of the nature of pines, you might notice sap oozing out after you cut into it. So, before doing any of the previous steps, clean the slices with a mixture of water and bleach. Allow them to dry completely before sanding them. You can even use this same method to make ornaments for next year! Just use a wood burning tool to carve in whatever you’d like — whether that’s your family’s initials and the year, or have everyone make their own artwork!
Upright bird feeder
If you have a special place in your heart for our feathered friends, give them a holiday feast of their own by using your tree as a standing feeder. Gather pinecones or acorns from your yard and coat them with creamy peanut butter and roll them in bird seed before hanging them up in the tree. You can even use fruit slices. Put your redressed tree in the backyard and enjoy the sights and sounds of winter birds enjoying a meal!
After you’re finished with our festive functional ideas, you can chop up the tree for your brush or compost piles. This will be a welcome shelter for birds who may be using your yard as a holiday home.
As the holiday season ends, remember there’s always a way to get more use out of almost everything. Not only will the birds appreciate you, but we here in conservation will too.
Wishing you a happy — and sustainable — 2025!
