Christmas Trees Take on a New Life After the Holidays

Have you ever wondered what happens to the millions of Christmas Trees that are used to decorate homes once the holidays have passed?

Many of us might think the simplest thing takes place and all trees are ground down into mulch that can be had free of charge at most local landfills. While this is certainly the most common fate for many trees, there are several other ways these trees are used after the holiday season has ended.

Fish Need a Place to Gather

Its well known that fish like to gather in areas where there are shelter and foliage. Many of the Christmas trees that are discarded are sunk to the bottom of lakes and ponds to provide shelter and a gathering location for fish. In fact, if you have a pond that you’re working on, this could be a great way to create a fun fishing spot in the pond.

Some Christmas Trees are Turned Into Firewood

Pine burns hot and quick, which can make it good firewood for many who have fireplaces in their homes. Other great ways to make fires with these trees is to schedule a bonfire, take them out on camping adventures, and simply use the trees to burn hot and provide the heat needed for an outdoor adventure.

The Lumber for Several Homes Can Come from These Trees

Christmas trees are evergreen, often pine, and are typically pretty straight. That makes them the perfect material to become lumber for homes around the world. In fact, the massive tree that stands in Rockefeller Center every year is donated to Habitat for Humanity International to be used as lumber for some of the homes being made. Imagine the number of boards coming out of this 100-foot tree each year.

Use Your Christmas Tree for the Birds

Every area of the country has some birds that don’t fly south in the winter. These birds could benefit from a habitat, even if it’s only for a few weeks. If your tree still has some green on it, you can prop it up in the backyard and let the birds come and enjoy the shelter. Adding a bit of seed to the mix will be a welcome treat to those birds that don’t migrate away from your area every year.

Collect that Ash After Burning

Have you stripped your Christmas tree of the branches and needles to be used for firewood? If so, don’t bury the ashes after you burn it. That ash contains potassium and lime which are excellent minerals for plants to enjoy. Use this ash when the spring arrives and your plants are ready to feed. This ash also helps to keep the bugs away, making it a doubly useful material.

The Beaches Need Christmas Trees

When you walk along the beaches there are sand dunes that are made to keep the ocean at bay and not allow the water to come up and damage properties along the beach. Some of the foundational materials used to build these dunes come from trees uses during the holidays. This is an ecological way to make the most out of these evergreens.

A Snack at the Zoo

We love to see the animals at the zoo that are being protected and provided to us, and they love to enjoy a special snack. Christmas trees make the perfect snack for a hungry elephant or other large animals that eat mostly leaves and branches. Many trees are donated to zoos around the world to provide these tasty treats to the animals that enjoy them.

The Louisiana Marshlands Depend on Christmas Trees

According to Metalfloss.com, “25-35 miles of coastal wetlands is lost each year in Louisiana”. The team at Santa Saves the March work to collect trees from around the country to use them to help rebuild the marshlands. The Army National Guard drops the trees into the wetlands to become a natural way to rebuild this area. Without these efforts, the state of Louisiana might be a lot smaller than it already is.

Trees have Energy and Its Used

While most of the Christmas trees are turned into mulch, what’s done with that mulch can be different in several areas. Some of the mulch is sent to plants that have boilers that power generators. The mulch is then burned and the heat provides the energy needed to help the plant continue to operate. This is a clean and efficient way to make use of the incredible heat that can be generated from these evergreens.