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Beth, a mother of
three and founder of fhi, is an expert in finding healthy, green
solutions for everyday use. Check out her new website and blog
at thegreenmom.blogspot.com
and restoringessence.com.
 For
many of us, decorating a Christmas tree is our favorite part
of the holiday season. If you’re one of the more than
30 million people who put up a live tree this year, you might
want to consider extending its usefulness once the season
ends. Instead of tossing your perfectly shaped pine or fir
into the garbage where it will only end up in a landfill,
try one of these creative recycling avenues:
| 1. |
Throw it in the water. Christmas trees make
great habitat for fish. Just toss it in your pond or stream.
If you don’t happen to have a fishin’ hole on
your property, contact local conservation groups. In many
areas, they’ll pick up the tree and toss it into
an appropriate pond or stream for you. |
| |
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| 2. |
 Keep
it on your land. Trees can provide lodging for all kinds
of critters besides fish. If you have a suitable place
on your property to let a tree decompose, it can become
a nursery to insects, fungi and possibly even amphibians
and reptiles. Or consider keeping it in its stand and
placing it out of doors as a bird sanctuary; it will
provide our feathered friends much-needed protection
from wind and cold. You can even enjoy a second round
of decorating by adorning the tree with enticing bird
food:
- Suet smeared in the branches
- Pine cones coated with peanut butter and bird seed,
then hung from branches
- Strings of popcorn, cranberries or raisins wrapped
around the tree
- Hanging fruit slice
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| 3. |
Use it in the garden. Trim branches off
and place them over perennial beds to reduce frost heaving
caused by freezing and thawing. Then use the trunks to
create sturdy, homemade trellises or tomato stakes. |
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| 4. |
Toss it in the stove. Use a few dry branches
as kindling to start your fires. |
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| 5. |
Keep it in your community. Many communities
have tree recycling programs that turn everyone’s
old trees into valuable mulch. If you are unable to try
any of the above ideas, contact your Public Works Department
to find out if they will collect trees curbside or from
a central drop-off location. Or visit earth911.org to
find a local tree recycler. |
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