Every year I'm faced with the same dilemma, what to do with my Christmas tree and all that greenery I cut before the holidays' Well rather than send it to the landfill with the rest of the garbage, there are actually some things that you can do that will benefit the environment. Let's take a look at some of them.

Grinding up your Christmas tree is a way to benefit the garden directly. You can use the ground mulch around plants or you can put it directly in your compost bin.

Another idea is to remove limbs from the tree and lay them over plants in the garden to protect them from winter winds and to help keep mulch in place.

Cut Christmas trees can also benefit wildlife. By leaving your Christmas tree say in the back yard you can provide protection for birds, a place where they can congregate and feed.

Birds aren't the only ones that can enjoy a discarded tree, they're great for fish, too. Sink them in lakes and ponds where they can serve as cover for fish and an inviting place for them to spawn.

So this year rather than sending your Christmas tree to the landfill for burial, put it to work in the garden or create some habitat for wildlife, either way you're helping the environment.

From the garden, I'm Allen Smith.

P. Allen Smith Gardenssm

© 1996 Hortus, Ltd.

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