Your Christmas tree’s days in the spotlight are nearly done. But if you dispose of a live tree properly, it can live on in a new way.
“A tree that is chipped up for mulch or compost will decay to feed organisms in the soil,” said Sharon Yiesla, plant knowledge specialist in the Plant Clinic at The Morton Arboretum in Lisle. “It will make soil better for other plants.”
Trees collected by municipalities go to commercial composting facilities that process yard waste and sell the resulting products to landscapers and gardeners. Some municipalities have recycling sites where homeowners can bring trees to be chipped up. Here are some tips from the Plant Clinic for Christmas tree disposal.
Recycle. Check with your municipality or waste management company about local tree recycling or disposal arrangements, including when and where trees will be picked up or whether you need to take your tree to a recycling site.
Prevent fire hazards. Dispose of your tree as soon as it shows signs of drying out to prevent it from becoming a fire hazard. Needles will become brittle and start to fall off, and the tree will no longer take up water. Never burn your evergreen tree in a fireplace or wood stove. It may cause creosote buildup that could lead to a chimney fire.
Trees only, please. Only the actual tree can be recycled. Before you put the tree out for pickup, remove all decorations. If you use a plastic tree bag to carry the tree from the house, take the bag off outside. Trees that aren’t completely bare will go to a landfill instead of being recycled. Flocked trees — those covered in white synthetic powder to suggest snow — can’t be recycled; they must be thrown away in the regular trash. Don’t try to recycle garlands, wreaths, or anything that contains wire, which could damage the shredding machinery. Discard those items in the trash.
Protect plants. Branches cut from your tree also can help protect plants in your garden. 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. This is most useful in beds that are in full sun.
Shelter wildlife. If you have the space, consider leaving the whole tree in your yard to provide a winter refuge for wildlife. In spring, cut up the tree and dispose of it through your municipality’s landscape waste disposal program.
For tree and plant advice, contact the Plant Clinic at The Morton Arboretum (630-719-2424, mortonarb.org/plant-clinic, or [email protected]). Beth Botts is a staff writer at the Arboretum.