Christmas Trees Can Provide Bird And Fish Habitats Once Discarded

The presents are gone and the ornaments are up, but what should you do with that live Christmas tree?

If you do not want to trash it, Van Buren County Ag Extension Director Chris Binkley said the foliage has many other uses that can benefit nature.

“Christmas trees make a nice bird habitat,” Binkley said. “You put them out in your yard somewhere, make sure you take out the ornaments and tinsels and they provide a security place for song birds to hide in the winter.”

If you use the tree for bird habitat, Binkley said you can use the remaining needles in the spring for mulch. Binkley said the trees also serve as a prime habitat for fish. So if you have a body of water on your property, sink the tree for hiding places and eggs.

“I was an Ag teacher in Van Buren County, and I used to take my students over to help the rangers at Fall Creek Falls State Park,” Binkley said. “We would sink the Christmas trees in the lake at Fall Creek Falls.”

Binkley said erosion control is another possibility. If you have a washed out ditch, the tree can prevent further weathering.