MORGANTOWN — After the holidays, the National Christmas Tree Association (NCTA) said instead of throwing your real Christmas tree in the trash or setting it on the curb, consider other options.
“The best way to avoid a mess removing your tree is to place a plastic tree bag (available at hardware stores) underneath the stand when you set the tree up,” NCTA said on its website.
“You can hide it with a tree skirt. Then, when the holidays are done, pull the bag up around the tree, stand and all, and carry it outside. Obviously, you will want to remove the stand before recycling the tree. If some needles do scatter inside, it is better to sweep them up; needles can clog vacuum cleaners”
WVU’s Extension office also had the following suggestions from the Farmer’s Almanac:
Remove and chip the branches for mulch in your garden. Chop or grind smaller branches into wood chips to use in flower, tree and shrub beds.
Larger branches can be cut into smaller bundles for winter protective mulch around newly planted perennials and small shrubs. The branches are then removed in spring when the plants begin to grow again.
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and other local and state agencies sometimes advertise over the radio and in newspapers for trees. The trees are placed in ponds to use as fish habitats.
Christmas trees can be placed in back yards and used as bird feeders and sanctuaries. Fresh orange slices and strung popcorn will attract the birds. Before you do this, make sure all hooks garland and tinsel strands are removed from the tree.
Next year, consider getting a rooted (ball and burlapped or containerized) tree, then plant in your yard after Christmas. Before planting, make sure to remove the burlap and twine from the root ball. This is done because nurseries often chemically treat the burlap to discourage root growth. Pre-dig the hole in October or November while the soil is still soft.
NCTA suggests checking with your local town or city sanitation department. Some providers will collect trees during regular pickup schedules on the two weeks following Christmas. There are often requirements for size, removing ornaments, flocking, etc.
Check with local recycling centers. Some have free drop-off locations. Usually, you may take up two trees to a drop-off location at no charge.
