THE AFTER CHRISTMAS CHRISTMAS TREE

 

 

Perhaps the one day of the year that is the worst for me is the day that Christmas decorations come down and get packed away for yet another year. I, like many others, look forward to the Christmas season for a lot of reasons. One of them is the slower pace, taking time to relax and just enjoying family and friends. Putting Christmas away signals getting back to the normal.

The saddest part of this is disposing of the Christmas tree. If you get a real tree, it’s probably a family tradition to search the tree lots to find that perfect one. Then, you spend hours decorating it, making sure that all the ornaments are placed just so. Then, after Christmas, you toss that beloved tree out the back door, cast away without another thought of it.

Well, that beloved tree can still keep on giving. There are many ways to re-purpose it. It won’t seem like such a waste and it just may make taking it down a little easier. The good news is that all parts of the tree, the trunk, branches and needles can also be transformed into useful articles. Here are some of the ways to preserve that tree:

*Give it to the birds, literally. Instead of just tossing it out the back door, take it a little further and secure it upright. Birds love sheltering in its branches. You can also hang suet cakes and small bird feeders in it to give them a meal and provide you with hours of entertainment.

A fun project for kids, older folks or anyone is to string Fruit Loops, Cheerios, popcorn or anything else edible and then “decorate” the tree again by stringing these strands around the tree. Birds love their snacks. Another advantage of sharing your tree with the birds is that it will keep drying out while they are using it and later in the summer you can repurpose your already repurposed tree and use the dried wood for crafts.

*Discarded trees aren’t just for the birds though. This year a friend asked anyone not wanting their trees to drop them off at her place for their goats. It turns out that goats love to munch on the branches; it’s a treat for them!

*Place your used tree by ponds. Fish love shady hiding spots.

*Needles can be added to the compost pile. As a matter of fact, the whole tree can be used for mulch in the vegetable and flower gardens.

*If you burn wood, the trunk can be cut and used for firewood, after it has dried so creosote won’t be a problem.

*Greenery can be used for wreaths, window boxes, urns and pots to keep a little cheer around throughout the rest of the season.

 

*There are all sorts of things that you can do with the wood itself. However, especially for indoor projects, keep in mind that not long ago it was a living tree which means it still has lots of sap which can be messy and sticky. Also, for indoor projects you will want to de-bug the wood. To keep from getting little critters in your house, line a baking sheet with parchment paper, lay the wood slices on them and bake for three hours at 175*. After this, the wood should be ready to go for all sorts of indoor projects.

*Slabs of wood can be made into wood slab wreaths, coasters and seasonal ornaments. Paint letters on them and string them across a wall to spell out words such as a child’s name in his/her room, welcome signs, etc.

*Tree branches make rustic coat hooks or shelf supports.

*The trunk itself can be cut into various projects. Cut a section, drill holes in it for tea lights. Use its own greenery around the candle holder to add festive accents.

*Make wood stump snowmen. Cut the trunk into different sizes and stand up vertically. Cut a slant on the top and paint a hat, face and buttons on the front to resemble a snowman.

*Make a didgeridoo. It’s a primitive aboriginal wind instrument.

*Many outdoor projects can be fashioned out of the trunk and limbs too. They make unique garden trellises and arbors.

*Log bird feeders can be used over and over.

*Wood slice garden path stepping stones are another use.

Even if you don’t partake in a real Christmas tree every year, artificial trees can be turned into useful décor when their time as a tree is up. Sometimes it’s just time for a new one. Use the branches of the old one for many of the projects listed above. One advantage here is that the wreaths, garland, swags and other items made from the branches of an artificial tree can be stored and used year after year.

It’s nice to know that a tree that was cut down and brought so much joy for the Christmas season can keep on giving all through the year.