COLUMBUS, OH -- Live cut Christmas trees can be recycled in a variety of environmentally friendly ways after the holidays, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).
"Mulching, chipping or composting Christmas trees after the holidays is a wise alternative to just throwing them into landfills," said Michael Canfield, chief of ODNR's Division of Recycling & Litter Prevention. "Many Ohio communities are making it easy for residents to recycle cut Christmas trees by offering convenient drop-off locations and curbside pick up."
According to Canfield, collected trees are often chipped and shredded into landscape mulch for local park districts and municipal projects. Individuals interested in recycling their Christmas trees should contact their local recycling and litter prevention office for more details.
If a community does not provide Christmas tree recycling collection or service, there are other ways to recycle trees right at home, ODNR advises. Trees can be chipped and composted in a backyard composting system. Using composted material in a garden improves soil, reduces weeds and helps retain soil moisture.
"Christmas trees can also be recycled in a variety of ways to benefit backyard wildlife," said Paul Schiff of ODNR's Division of Wildlife. "In rural areas, landowners can use their Christmas tree to build brush piles and increase wildlife habitat, providing cover for small mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles."
Wildlife use brush piles for shelter and nesting. Brush piles are very effective near field borders, as well as undeveloped areas in suburban yards, Schiff added. He advises that it takes more than one Christmas tree to build a successful habitat pile, so people interested should consider asking friends or neighbors to add their discarded trees.
Christmas trees can also be placed in farm ponds to attract fish and increase habitat. A weight, such as a cinder block, must be placed on the tree to sink it and keep it from floating to the surface. Of course, it is important for anyone planning to build a wildlife brush pile or sink a tree in a local pond, to solicit permission from the landowner or pond owner before placing any trees.
"People having trouble finding a cooperative landowner should contact local conservation and wildlife clubs that might also be sponsoring tree collection activities," Schiff said.
ODNR offers a few important points to consider when recycling a Christmas tree:
- Remove all trimmings such as tinsel, ornaments and garland.
- Seek permission before discarding trees on private land.
- Check with officials before dropping trees off at the nearest park or lake. Discarding trees without permission could draw a littering charge.
Recycling Christmas trees is an excellent way to help reduce the state's solid waste stream. For more information, contact the ODNR Division of Recycling & Litter Prevention at (614) 265-6333.