6 Ways to Recycle Your Christmas Tree

Many cities now have recycling services that will pick up your Christmas tree or provide drop-off locations. The tree may be used by local organizations for the other ways suggested here. You can find a location near you by checking Earth911's database.

If you have access to a wood chipper, you can make your own garden mulch. Use a saw to cut the Christmas tree into smaller pieces to fit into the chipper. The wood chips can be used around your plants, in your compost bin, and for garden paths.

If you have the room in your backyard, Christmas trees make excellent bird habitats. Remove all of the decorations. Make sure there is no tinsel or flocking.

You will need to secure the tree by using the stand or stakes and twine. Provide the birds with food by making pine cone bird feeders, using suet holders, and hanging strings of popcorn or fresh fruit.

If you have a pond, you can place cut-up pieces of your Christmas tree on the bottom to create places for fish to hide. You can also call your state's Department of Natural Resources to see if they need trees for this purpose.

Remove all decorations. It is especially important that the tree is free of tinsel, and has not been flocked or treated in any other way.

Christmas trees can be used to help reduce erosion on shorelines of oceans, lakes or rivers. The branches and trunk provide barriers that help lessen the amount of sand washed away by the water. They can also help rebuild areas, especially after hurricanes, by collecting sand deposits.

Check with your state's Department of Natural Resources to see if they have a need for your Christmas trees.

Cut off the branches and use them to make winter wreaths or garlands to decorate your house throughout the season. You can add scented pine cones to complement the wonderful smell of fresh trees.