When the holidays are over, don’t throw your real Christmas tree out with the trash — recycle it! The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) says you can give your old Christmas tree new life, even after the pine needles are starting to fall off of it.
Give a new purpose to your real Christmas tree after the holidays by:
Decorating your tree for wildlife — Put your tree outside and decorate with edible citrus ornaments or all-natural popcorn strings to feed birds and squirrels.
Create a brush pile for wildlife — A Christmas tree makes a great base for helping to provide food and protection during the winter months!
Enrich your soil — Chop up your Christmas tree to add insulation and enrichment to your garden bed.
Help fish — Have a private pond with fish? Sunken Christmas trees provide shelter and feeding areas for fish.
Donate to tree recycling programs — Tree recycling and mulching programs are becoming more popular in communities. Check your local department of public works to see if a program is available.
Learn more about recycling real Christmas trees from the National Christmas Tree Association.
Established on July 1, 1995, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) is charged with maintaining and protecting 121 state parks; managing 2.2 million acres of state forest land; providing information on the state’s ecological and geologic resources; and establishing community conservation partnerships with grants and technical assistance to benefit rivers, trails, greenways, local parks and recreation, regional heritage parks, open space, and natural areas. DCNR’s mission is to conserve and sustain Pennsylvania’s natural resources for present and future generations’ use and enjoyment. Learn more at DCNR.pa.gov.
Author: Guest Contributor
The Pennsylvania Wilds is home to more than 2 million acres of public land, 50 state game lands, 29 state parks, 8 state forests, 2 National Wild & Scenic Rivers, abundant wildlife, hundreds of miles of land and water trails, some of the darkest skies in the country, and the largest elk herd in the northeast.
The PA Wilds team is grateful to share the many stories of this region through the words and images of our talented guest contributors.