Think twice before saying goodbye to your Christmas tree this year.
Many Texans have turned to using real Christmas trees this holiday season, and as the holidays near an end, the Texas A&M Forest Service has released guidance on properly disposing of these decorations.
There are eco-friendly ways to get rid of real Christmas trees, according to the press release.
Alison Baylis, the Texas A&M Forest Service regional urban ecologist, shared that many real trees will end up in landfills after Christmas.
“Even though trees are a renewable resource, we should opt to recycle or dispose of them in a way that helps the environment and gives our trees a second life. By recycling Christmas trees, we can reduce our carbon footprint and support a more sustainable holiday season,” Baylis said in the press release.
Christmas trees can be turned into mulch after the holiday. This mulch can then be used for a variety of yard and home needs, according to Texas A&M. One example is using it around gardens and trees to provide insulation during cold weather. Mulch also helps with soil erosion.
As real Christmas trees are biodegradable, many Texas communities also have programs for recycling these trees, the press release shares. These programs can have drop-off or curbside pickup options. Texas A&M recommends recycling real trees over burning them.
Real Christmas trees can also be kept for family crafts, or utilized in wildlife habitats and ponds.
“Place Christmas trees in yards or nature landscapes or in bodies of water to create habitat for wildlife,” Texas A&M suggests. “When Christmas trees are sunken into water bodies, they increase the complexity of the aquatic habitat. Woody debris provides a place for aquatic species to flourish, which increases overall biodiversity.”
For those without bodies of water on their properties, Texas A&M suggests contacting local officials to see whether there is a suitable lake or pond in which to dispose of a tree.
The release adds, “You can also choose to set your tree in your yard, creating a wildlife habitat. Birds can use your old Christmas tree as a shelter.”
Bird-friendly treats can be used to attract birds to the recycled tree habitat.
In the state of Texas, there are 175 farms for Christmas trees, according to the Texas Christmas Tree Growers Association. These farms produce more than 200,000 trees every year.
Baylis shared in the press release that these trees provide an important environmental function while they are growing.
“As Christmas trees grow, they provide many of the same benefits our urban and natural forests do, such as clean air, soil stabilization, and carbon sequestration,” Baylis said. “Further, buying a Christmas tree can help support a business or your local economy.”
The Texas A&M Forest Service district offices can provide more information on how Texans can recycle their Christmas trees this year.