Get more out of your Christmas tree this year once the festive period has come to an end by reusing it in your garden and reaping a whole host of benefits from it
Just because the festive period is over and you have to sadly put your decorations away for another year, it doesn’t mean that the lifecycle of your Christmas tree has to come to an end too. You can give your Christmas tree a whole new lease of life in your garden, where it will bring a whole heap of benefits to your green space, from providing a new habitat for wildlife to enjoy during the last few winter months all the way to supporting new plants – try reusing your tree this year with one of these easy to implement gardening hacks, that are seriously eco-friendly.
Every year, many councils offer free Christmas tree collections, and if this is usually the path you take to mark the conclusion of the festive period, you will be pleased to hear that these trees are usually shredded into chippings – these are then used as mulch or chippings in public green spaces like your local park. However, if you are looking for some compostable material or mulch in your own garden, you can skip leaving the tree out for collection, and instead do this yourself.
Whilst this is a bit more work than leaving the tree in the designated collection spot, there are lot of benefits to mulching your beds, borders, planters, and pots. “Mulching helps the soil maintain moisture, protects the plants in the winter, and helps with weed control. Organic much also boosts soil health by breaking down and contributing to soil fertility over time. What’s more – mulch made from pine trees repel unwanted pests such as ticks, gnats, and fleas. Time to break out the shredder! But remember: be sure to wear safety gear, including goggles and gloves,” the experts at Stockslager Garden Centre explain.
If shredding your tree yourself just isn’t feasible, not to worry, there are still plenty of other ways you can reuse it in your garden. By removing the branches with secateurs or loppers, you can use the trunk as a support to other plants that need a helping hand and something to grow up against – this is a particularly good method if you are looking to plant some climbers like roses, wisteria, or clematis – and the branch will blend into your green space seamlessly.
If you have never composted before, and you have enough outside space, then the experts recommend using your Christmas tree to start one off. Again you will need to cut off the branches because the trunk isn’t going to be much good as compostable material, so once you have removed the branches use these as the basis for your own compost pile. You will soon be well on your way to having your own homemade compost that will enhance your soil quality and help keep all your plants as healthy as possible.
Another great option if you are worried about wasting the trunk and are keen to compost the branches, is to take the leftover trunk and chop it into smaller pieces for firewood – whether that’s to add a cosy atmosphere with your fire pit the next time you have guests, or simply to get a family bonfire started over the winter.
Your old Christmas tree can also enjoy a new role as a lifeline for wildlife in the winter – use your tree in a quiet corner of your outside space where it will provide some much-needed shelter for any small animals during the coldest months. Equally, if you love watching the birds that come and visit your garden, pop your tree outside and hang birdseed on it, and watch as it transforms from a festive decoration into a massive birdfeeder.
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