Here’s what you can do with your old Christmas tree

Now that Christmas has come and gone, many people are still left with their Christmas tree in their living rooms or on their porches. Well, before you just drag it to the street, consider putting it to better use.

Here are some options:

Recycle your Christmas tree

The CityParks & Recreation and Green Team Departments are participating in Operation Christmas Cleanup, a joint effort between the City of Madison, Madison County Commission, Solid Waste Disposal Authority and Recycling Alliance of North Alabama.

Live trees will be accepted (along with flattened cardboard boxes, batteries and electronics) Jan. 11, from 8-11AM at the following locations:

• John Hunt Park at 2315 Airport Rd SW, Huntsville, AL 35801
• Madison City Schools Stadium at 211 Celtic Dr, Madison, AL 35758

Trees will be converted into mulch and used in public areas throughout the community.

Compost your tree

Christmas trees make an excellent base for your compost pile. Experts recommend not to include the needles, which can slow down the disintegration process.

it is a simple process, actually. Shred your Christmas tree branches — the sawdust will break down much faster than chunks of tree branches — and op it all off with fruit and vegetable scraps, leaves and anything else you typically add to your compost pile.

Turn your tree into a bird sanctuary

If you are a bird lover, why not move your old Christmas tree (sand decorations, of course) to your yard and let the birds enjoy it? Keep it on the stand and place it outside and watch the birds flock to it.

You can hang bird feeders and suet cages from the branches, or even a birdhouse.

Another option is to simply drag it outside to an out-of-the-way spot in your garden and let it sit for the winter on its side. The branches attract and protect birds, squirrels, chipmunks and other critters, and also keep them from making a home in your attic.

What NOT to do with your old tree

I had always heard that a great use for your old Christmas tree was to sink it into a lake for fishing, as it does serve as a great fish habitat. However, Tennessee Valley Authority officials say not to do this.

The TVA licenses specific individuals or organizations to sink trees for fish habitat, and they monitor those trees and their placement so they won’t create hazards for boaters and swimmers. In fact their really is a science to sinking a tree, and people who are not licensed to sink their trees into our lakes and rivers are not helping.

“They may think they are being helpful by tossing the tree into a lake. But don’t do it! There’s a science behind creating proper fish habitats.”

Josh Burnette, TVA Natural Resources Specialist

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