THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS EXTENSION OFFICE IS OFFERING A FEW IDEAS ON WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE ONCE YOU’RE READY TO TAKE IT DOWN. 

CHRISTMAS TREES CAN HAVE A SECOND LIFE AFTER THE HOLIDAYS SAYS U OF I EXTENSION HORTICULTURE EDUCATOR CHRIS ENROTH.

THAT MEANS NOT DUMPING THE TREE ON SOMEONE ELSE’S PROPERTY OR IN A PUBLIC LAKE OR DITCH. ENROTH SAYS MANY COMMUNITIES HAVE A PICK-UP PROGRAM WHERE THE TREES ARE TURNED INTO MULCH. YOU CAN ALSO USE CHRISTMAS TREES AS FIREWOOD BUT ONLY FOR AN OUTDOOR FIREPIT BECAUSE OF THE RESIN IN EVERGREENS.

ENROTH SAYS ANOTHER IDEA IS TO PUT THE TREE OUT IN YOUR YARD AND USE IT AS A BIRD FEEDER, ADORNING IT WITH STRINGS OF POPCORN AND CRANBERRIES, OR PINECONES WITH PEANUT BUTTER AND SUNFLOWER SEEDS.