So, it’s time to take your old Christmas tree down and dispose of it…but how?  Donating to areas that accept them for fisheries to help fish habitat is always a good idea, but if you have a couple of trees and are looking for other options, too, then take a look at the following ideas we found on thisoldhouse.com:

1. MULCH WITH NEEDLES – “Pine needles dry quickly and decompose slowly, making them an excellent moisture- and mold-free mulch for ground-covering crops, such as strawberries, to rest on.”
2. CREATE A BIRD SANCTUARY – “Place your tree in its stand outdoors. Fill bird feeders and hang them from the boughs, or drape the tree with a swag of pinecones coated with peanut butter.”
3. INSULATE PERENNIALS – “Cut off boughs and lay them over perennial beds to protect them from snow and reduce frost heaving.”
4. EDGE YOUR BORDERS – “Cut the trunk into 2-inch discs and set them into the soil to edge flower beds or walkways.”
5. SHELTER FISH – Contact your local FWP or your local wildlife officials for tree drop-off locations for fish habitat restoration and enhancement.  FYI – Walleyes Unlimited and FWP are currently collecting used Christmas trees for fish habitat at Spotted Eagle Recreation area – Read more here.
6. SET A STAGE FOR CONTAINERS – “Saw the trunk into different lengths and use the pieces as flowerpot risers for a dramatic group display.”
7. MAKE COASTERS AND TRIVETS – “Cut thin slabs off the trunk, sand them smooth, and apply a thin coat of polyurethane to keep the sap off tables and glassware.”
8. CHIP IT – “Rent a chipper (get a few neighbors together to split the cost) and feed the tree through it. Next spring, spread the wood chips under shrubs; they’ll suppress weeds and, as they decompose, add nutrients to the soil.”
9. FEED A FIRE PIT – “It’s fine to use a few of the quick-to-ignite branches to start an outdoor fire pit—but never in an indoor fireplace, where creosote build-up is a hazard.”
10. STAKE YOUR PLANTS – “Strip small branches and use the remaining twigs to support indoor potted plants or stake leggy seedlings.”

And there you have it.  We hope your Christmas was amazing, and we hope your upcoming New Year’s holiday is just as amazing!

(Feature photo via mnprairieroots.wordpress.com)