Expert Tips for Recycling Christmas Trees After the Holidays
Photo courtesy of The Morton Arboretum
“Live trees with festive decorations brighten homes during the holiday season, but they won’t last forever,” says Spencer Campbell, the Arboretum’s Plant Clinic manager and horticulture specialist. “It’s important to dispose of the tree in a safe and appropriate way when the season is done.”
Homeowners should remove their trees once they show signs of drying out to prevent them from becoming a fire hazard. “Dry needles will become brittle and start to fall off, and the tree will no longer take up water,” Campbell explains. He advises against burning evergreen trees in a fireplace or woodstove, as this can cause creosote buildup that could lead to a chimney fire.
Bare Christmas trees can be recycled at participating facilities. Homeowners should check with local municipalities or waste management companies regarding tree recycling or disposal arrangements, including pickup dates or drop-off locations. Recycled trees are often chipped into mulch or compost, which some municipalities allow residents to collect for use in their gardens.
“Only the actual tree can be recycled,” Campbell emphasizes. “Be sure to remove all decorations, and if using a plastic tree bag to carry the tree from the house, take the bag off outside.”
Flocked trees—those covered in white synthetic powder to mimic snow—cannot be recycled and must be disposed of as regular trash. Additionally, items like garlands, wreaths or anything containing wire should not be recycled as they could damage the shredding machinery.
Branches cut from the trees can also be utilized to protect garden plants. “Laid over beds, they will insulate the soil so it doesn’t heat up in winter warm spells and cause plants to come out of dormancy too early,” Campbell notes.
Trees can also provide shelter for wildlife. “If space permits—and neighbors don’t mind—the tree can be left in the backyard to provide shelter for birds and other animals during winter,” Campbell says, adding that individuals can also place the trunk in a pond on their private property to provide shelter for fish.
The Arboretum’s Plant Clinic provides free advice by phone at 630-719-2424 or email at [email protected] for those with questions about how to care for trees and plants.
