Instead Of Trashing The Christmas Tree, Iowans Should ‘Tree-Cycle’

Iowa families who put up a live Christmas tree back around Thanksgiving are likely ready to take it down — but instead of hauling it to the curb, there are several ways to put it to good use.

Chip Murrow, an urban forestry program specialist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, says people with acreages can “tree-cycle” their old evergreen right back into nature.

One simple option is leaving the tree or branches along the edge of your yard, where wildlife can use it for shelter. Another is standing it upright outdoors so birds like woodpeckers and songbirds can use it.

Murrow says dead trees also attract insects, which then become food for wildlife. Smaller birds benefit from the protection, especially during windy winter days.

You can even turn the tree into a natural bird feeder. Murrow suggests rolling pine cones in peanut butter and bird seed, or using suet, and hanging them from the branches.

Old Christmas trees can also help fish — but only in private ponds.

Murrow says placing trees in public lakes or ponds is illegal and considered littering. In a private pond, though, a tree can provide excellent fish habitat. He recommends securing it to a cement block so it stands upright on the pond bottom.

For those who like crafts, fresh branches can be used to make wreaths, garlands, or scented sachets, as long as the tree hasn’t dried out too much.

Another option is donating the tree to a local Boy Scout troop for outdoor firewood — but Murrow warns it should not be burned indoors because of creosote buildup.

And finally, Christmas tree needles can be reused as mulch around perennial plants or in gardens to help control weeds next spring.

Instead of throwing it away, your Christmas tree could keep giving well into the new year.