A fresh-cut Christmas tree can be wonderful
for many reasons. Not only does it add a lovey evergreen fragrance to your
home, but it also creates opportunities for memory-making around the holidays.
Real Christmas trees are also the most eco-friendly choice for decorating, as
they will never pollute a landfill with the synthetic materials found in
artificial trees. We’re here to help you plan your post-holiday clean up early
with 6 ideas on how you can recycle your fresh-cut Christmas tree.
How to Safely Get Rid of An Old
Christmas Tree
Curbside
Pickup
If your city offers curbside tree
pickup, you may have your easy solution at hand. These trees can be processed
into natural mulch, which can then be used in your area’s landscaping.
Goat
Farms May Want Your Tree
Did you know goats and other livestock love to
munch on an old evergreen tree? It’s true! See if your local goat farmer or
animal rescue could use your Christmas tree as an animal snack.
Non-Profit
Pickup
Some non-profit organizations, like the
boy scouts or other groups may pick up your tree for a small fundraising fee.
Typically these groups will take your donation and deliver your tree to a
landscaper for mulching.
Herbal
Pine Needle Steam
Looking for a way to clear out your body after
weeks of holiday feasting? Pine promotes relaxation and can help with winter
colds, so why not take a few of those branches and make yourself a steam treatment? Simply add a few small
twigs of your evergreen tree to a medium pot of water and bring it to a boil.
Bring the pot to the table, placing on a pot holder for protection, grab a
towel and drape it over the pot, and breathe in the steam for roughly 10
minutes.
Pine
Vinegar Hair Rinse
Care for your scalp and hair in the dry winter
months by using your pine needles to make this pine-vinegar hair rinse. For
starters you’ll need a glass bottle with a sealing, non-metal top that holds at
least 16 oz. Add 2 cups of white or apple cider vinegar and 2 tbsp of pine
needles to your glass bottle. Let the concoction steep in a dark area for 1-2
weeks before use. When it’s ready to go, add 1 tbsp of the mixture to a cup of
warm water and use in place of conditioner. Allow it to sit on your hair for a
few minutes before rinsing.
DIY
Coasters
Need a natural looking way to protect your
end-tables from those inevitable condensation rings? Use the trunk of your tree
to make natural coasters or other home
decor items. Use a hacksaw to remove the branches and cut the trunk of your
tree into thin “slices.” Be sure to sand your wooden discs and apply several
coats of poly before use to protect the wood and provide a smooth finish.
A Few Tips for Dealing with that Tree
One downside is that natural evergreen
Christmas trees do need to be recycled or disposed off quickly after the
holidays are over, as a dry tree can be a fire hazard. If you notice dry
branches, or showers of falling needles, it’s time for that tree to go.
Speaking of which, even if it still looks lovely, a post-Christmas evergreen
typically has dry needles. If you just haul it out without protection, you will
be vacuuming up needles for months on end. Save yourself the hassle and use an
old sheet or tarp to drag your tree out of the house.
How do you recycle your fresh-cut tree? Tell
us about it in the comments section below!
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Photo by Irina Kostenich on Unsplash
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