Community recycling programs

Every year, thousands of evergreen trees, wreaths, and swags are collected, chopped and chipped into rich mulch that is used in gardens, city parks, schoolyards, and animal stalls. While saving landfill space, the mulch acts as a protective barrier for the roots of plants while preventing weeds from growing, then decomposes, providing the nutrients plants need to thrive.

Recycled holiday trees are also used to make effective sand and soil erosion barriers, especially at beaches and on riverbeds. Sunk into private fishponds, trees make excellent refuge and feeding area for fish.

From late December through mid-January, most communities now have drop-off locations where you can bring your holiday tree, or allow them to be picked up with your regular curbside recycling. In some communities, nonprofit organizations provide this service as a fundraiser for worthwhile community projects. Check around in your community to see how you can recycle your tree, or go to Earth 911 to find a tree recycling program near you.

To be accepted for recycling, evergreens need to be in the same condition as they are in the forest, for they will now be returned to the soil. To prepare your tree (and wreaths and swags) for recycling, remove anything that is not the actual evergreen:

• the tree stand--both metal holders and wooden stands that come with the trees
• the lights
• all ornaments and tinsel
• any wire or nails
• any wreath or swag base.

Recycle your tree in your garden

To recycle your evergreens in your own garden, prune off the branches and place the boughs over perennials as a winter mulch, or chip the tree yourself and use the mulch around trees or shrubs, or in flower beds.

Make a protected bird habitat

Another way to recycle evergreens in your garden is to use your tree to make a protected bird habitat. This will add color and interest to your winter garden.

Place your tree outdoors near a window, so you can observe the action. The branches provide shelter from strong winds and cold.

Attract birds with fruit slices, seed cakes, suet bags, and pine cones smeared with peanut butter and seeds, hung on the trees like ornaments. Make strings of popcorn or cranberries, or strings alternating cranberries with half-inch cubes of beef suet, or apples wedges with raisins and Cheerios. Hang any leftover holiday cookies on the tree, too.

When spring comes and the tree begins to dry out, it can easily be broken apart or chopped to make mulch and returned to the garden.

Don't burn your tree

Never burn your tree right after the holidays in a fireplace or wood stove. Burning the green wood can contribute to coat the chimney and flu with creosote, a flammable tar.

If you want to burn your tree, prepare it for burning next year. Remove the branches, cut the trunk to logs of appropriate length, and add them to the woodpile. Let them be seasoned by the elements through the year and they will be excellent firewood the following winter.

Curbside pickup

You can dispose of your tree by placing it out for curbside trash pickup, however, trees collected this way are generally taken to the landfill for disposal and not recycled.

Don't place your tree on your curb for pickup unless you know in your community that there is curbside pickup for tree recycling.

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