“Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.”
-New England Proverb

The presents have been unwrapped, the leftovers are gone, and there are almost as many needles under the tree as there are on it. So now the question is: how to best dispose of the tree? The easiest option is to throw it out, whether that means simply dragging it to the curb or driving it to your local transfer station. But before doing that consider some other options for putting that tree to good use.

If you have the room in your yard, you can simply take your tree outside, stand and all, and leave it as a haven for birds. To go one step further, you can hang pine cones coated with peanut butter and sprinkled with bird seed, to provide easy foraging for our feathered friends. Alternatively, you can lie your tree down at the edge of your lawn, to provide winter shelter for rabbits and such.

One of the best ways to dispose of your tree is to turn it into mulch. If you have your own wood chipper, you’re all set. If not it’s a quick call to your local tree or landscape company to see if they will take it for mulch. For other ideas about how to dispose of your tree in an ecological way, visit https://www.cnet.com/how-to/how-to-get-rid-of-your-christmas-tree/.

For a more fun, community-oriented way to dispose of your tree locally, consider the Bartholomew’s Cobble annual tree-burning party, complete with s’mores and all. For information about this event, visit
https://www.evensi.us/christmas-tree-burn-bartholomew-cobble/237619991.

Finally, did you know that Alpacas and Llamas LOVE to eat pine trees?? It’s true! If you’d like to donate your tree for Alpaca fodder, contact Copper Star Alpaca Farm in Millerton, NY.