Seven ways to upcycle Christmas trees in your garden and bonus ideas for inside your home
While the holiday festivities are coming to an end, there’s still a way to keep the spirit of Christmas alive. Rather than discarding your tree like millions of folks each year, consider repurposing it in your garden!
Christmas trees can provide winter protection for birds and wildlife, mulch for perennial garden beds, stakes for other plants and much more. Plus, if planted properly, they can be
used again next Christmas.
For those of us who opted for real trees this year, here are seven creative possibilities for reusing them:
1. REPLANT YOUR TREE
Instead of trashing your tree, replant it in your yard! Before doing this, check to make sure your tree still has the root ball intact. Typically, the root ball will come covered by a piece of burlap. Once a tree is cut from the root ball, is can no longer be planted outside.
Start by digging a large hole in the ground, then place the tree and water it thoroughly. Make sure to include a thick layer of mulch with either wood chips or leaves. And add some extra nutrients to help your tree survive the rest of winter.
2. ADD TO YOUR COMPOST PILE
Give new life to an old tree by adding it to your compost pile. Rather than tossing the tree into your compost bin all at once, cut it into smaller chunks and gather them into a pile in your yard. Let the pile sit until the pine needles have fallen off and the branches are dry and brittle. Then, use these materials as a carbon source for your compost bin. The compost you create can be used to increase soil quality, while also allowing better water drainage and aeration. It’s a great way to decrease your carbon footprint by reducing (or completely eliminating) the use of artificial pesticides, fertilizers and landfill waste.
3. USE BRANCHES AS MULCH
Cut off the boughs (branches) of your tree and layer them in a crisscross pattern on your perennial garden beds as a natural mulch to protect the roots and prevent frost heave. It will also
prevent soil erosion caused by heavy rains. These branches are a great alternative to straw or wood chips. They will break down slowly over winter, adding nutrients to the soil for spring.
4. USE BRANCHES AS SUPPORTS FOR PLANTS
Reusing branches from your Christmas tree is a cheap way to support houseplants, seedlings and youth plants in your garden. Strip the sturdiest branches of their needles and cut them into various lengths to use as plant stakes. The “stick trick” is also useful for protecting tomatoes and other seedlings from cutworm damage. By placing a small stick against the stem, you will prevent the cutworm from wrapping itself around the stem and chewing on your plant.
5. CREATE A HOTEL FOR BIRDS
After taking all the decorations off of your tree, move it outdoors and create your own natural bird hotel. Stop your tree from falling over by using a secure base such as traditional Christmas tree stand. You can hang bird feeders and suet cages from the branches, or even a small house or two. Give garden birds a reason to visit by hanging edible ornaments and treats such as popcorn, peanuts, citrus fruits, etc. Once spring arrives, compost the tree or use the dried wood for kindling.
6. CHIP IT
Chip the wood for garden paths and beds! Wood chips are excellent for filling garden paths, mulching your beds and smothering weeds. A thick layer of wood chips (up to 6 inches deep) is more effective for killing weeds than using a sheet of plastic. The chips block sunlight while allowing water and air to circulate, enabling the soil food web to stay intact. Soil will also benefit from nutrients in the decomposing wood. To mulch, use a 1-2-inch layer of wood chips to control weeds and conserve moisture. The chips will prevent soil from splashing up onto leaves. If you don’t own a woodchipper, consider splitting costs with a few neighbors to rent one for the weekend.
7. TOSS IT PROPERLY
Boy Scout troops from Issaquah Highlands and Sammamish will pickup your Christmas tree in exchange for a donation on Saturday, Jan. 7. Since 1985, these troops have been collecting trees via curbside pickup and recycling them. The donations play a critical role in their ability to provide a quality Scouting program for youth in our community.
*BONUS IDEAS FOR AROUND THE HOUSE
Looking for other ways to reuse your Christmas tree? You could simmer some pine needle potpourri to scent your home. Or use the tree as fuel for an outdoor fire pit. Or get creative with craft projects such as wreaths, drink coasters, ornaments, jewelry, wall art and more. The options are limitless.
Ben Armlin is a Huckleberry Circle resident.
