3 ways to dispose of your real Christmas tree

Almost a month has passed since Christmas, can you believe it? By now you have probably packed away your decorations, taken down the cards and found new homes for all of your gifts.

But have you figured out what to do with your tree yet? If you have a real tree, there are lots of environmentally-friendly ways to dispose of them, from finding somewhere to recycle locally to using it in compost.

Keep reading to find out some of our favourite ways to dispose of your real Christmas tree!

Recycle, recycle, recycle!

In today’s world, it has never been so important to reuse, repurpose and recycle wherever possible. Many local councils, as well as some charities and environmental organisations, will pick up and recycle your Christmas tree for a small donation or fee. This is a great option if you don’t have the time or resources to do it yourself, and want to make sure it’s recycled rather than simply disposed of.

One thing to remember is that snow flocked trees unfortunately can’t be recycled because the snow-like appearance is created using chemicals. You would need to check with your local council to see the best way to dispose of it, which might be cutting it down and putting in the bin or taking to the tip.

Use it in your compost

If you want to extend the use of your tree beyond Christmas, using it in compost is the perfect solution. The branches are great for the base of compost, and you can even use the organic materials from wreaths too! Just be sure to strip the branches and cut into small pieces (the smaller the pieces, the better!) If the trees/wreaths are dressed with things like ribbons or bells, these will need to be removed before they are composted.

Give your climbing plants support

Do you have plants in your garden that grow vertically? You can plant the bare tree in a garden border then seed plants like sweet peas, honey suckle and jasmine, and use the twiggy branches to support them. As most of these plants are better off growing in summer, you should keep the wood from your tree clean and dry for the next few months.

Do you have any other suggestions for what to do with your real Christmas tree? We’d love to hear all of your innovative and creative ideas to inspire us even more!