What to do with your real Christmas tree after Christmas

Tips on how you can make the best use of your real Christmas tree after the festive season is over.

Did you know acid-loving plants like pine needles?

Save up any needles that fall from your tree and scatter them around the base of any trees, shrubs and plants that like acidic conditions.

Camellias, Rhododendrons and Magnolias all thrive in acidic soil and will benefit from a pine needle mulch.

No acid loving plants? Cut the tree up and add it to your compost bin instead.

Keep the tree in the garden and use it as a bird feeder.

If you’re lucky enough to have a garden with a bit of space, try leaving the tree outside and hanging berries, fruit, fat balls, or a bird feeder from the branches.

If you chose a pot grown tree this year, then you can try saving it to use again next year.

You can keep it in the pot and make sure you water it well in the warmer months, or even plant it in the ground to have as an outdoor tree next year!

Make a wildlife haven.

Once you’ve finished with your tree, break off branches and cut up the trunk, then pile up the pieces somewhere sheltered in the garden for insects and other wildlife to use as a ‘hotel’.

Add any other bits of foraged branches, leaves and foliage to the pile, which could become a great place for hedgehogs and other garden animals to seek shelter or find food.

Recycle your tree.

Perhaps you don’t have a garden, or yours is too small to keep the tree in? If you know someone with a large garden who could make use of it, you could pass it on.

There are also many local eco projects or forest schools who may be able to use the tree – some of which you may be able to find on local social media pages.

Alternatively, lots of local councils offer a green waste collection or specific Christmas tree recycling service. Check your local council’s website to find out more.

Recycle for charity.

Many charities run a scheme where they will collect and recycle Christmas trees for a small donation.

Much easier than getting the car covered in needles on the way to the tip, and you get to help a good cause in the process!

Search online for ‘Christmas tree recycling for charity’ and your county, to find out if there are any running in your area.