{"id":18762,"date":"2022-01-02T08:30:17","date_gmt":"2022-01-02T12:30:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/?p=18762"},"modified":"2025-07-31T13:18:12","modified_gmt":"2025-07-31T17:18:12","slug":"repurposing-your-real-christmas-tree","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/fnr\/extension\/repurposing-your-real-christmas-tree\/","title":{"rendered":"Repurposing Your Real Christmas Tree"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Christmas<\/a>With the holidays over the needles are beginning to fall from your natural Christmas tree, continue to spread holiday cheer by returning your tree to nature.<\/p>\n

Jarred Brooke<\/a>, Extension wildlife specialist, shares a few creative ways you can repurpose and recycle your tree this year.<\/p>\n

\u201cBefore you throw your used natural Christmas tree in the trash, think about recycling it on your property. Instead of taking up space in the landfill, your tree could decompose naturally while providing cover and food for fish, wildlife or insects,\u201d said Brooke.<\/p>\n

No matter how you choose to repurpose your tree, make sure it is free from ornaments and decorations. Do not recycle trees that have been sprayed with \u201cfake\u201d snow or treated with chemicals.<\/p>\n

Create a habitat for fish
\n<\/strong>Throwing used Christmas trees in ponds is a great way to recycle the tree and provide a fish habitat to your pond. The small branches provide hiding spots for small fish to escape from larger predators.<\/p>\n

If the pond is frozen with more than four inches of ice, you can drag your tree onto the ice. The tree will fall into place once the ice melts.<\/p>\n

You should only add Christmas trees to your ponds or other private ponds with the permission of the pond owner. While they do provide great habitats for fish, they can be a nuisance for fishing as hooks and lines may get caught on branches. It is recommended that you keep trees away from popular fishing areas like docks.<\/p>\n

Full article > > ><\/a><\/p>\n

Resources:
\nSelecting a Real Christmas Tree<\/a>, Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension-Forestry and Natural Resources
\nA Choose-and-Cut Pine and Fir Christmas Tree Case Study<\/a>, The Education Store, Purdue Extension\u2019s resource center
\nLiving Christmas Trees For The Holidays and Beyond<\/a>, The Education Store
\nGrowing Christmas Trees<\/a>, The Education Store
\nSelecting an Indiana-Grown Christmas Tree<\/a>, The Education Store
\nForest\/Timber Playlist<\/a>, subscribe to Purdue Extension \u2013 Forestry and Natural Resources YouTube Channel
\nAquatics & Fisheries<\/a>, Playlist, Purdue Extension \u2013 Forestry and Natural Resources YouTube Channel
\nAsk an Expert: Pond Wildlife Management<\/a>, Video, Purdue Extension \u2013 FNR YouTube Channel
\nAsk an Expert: Pond Management: What to Do in Winter, How to Plan for Spring<\/a>, Video, Purdue Extension \u2013 FNR YouTube Channel<\/span>
\n<\/span>Aquatic Plant Management: Identifying and Managing Aquatic Vegetation<\/a>, The Education Store
\nPond and Wildlife Management<\/a>, Purdue Extension-Forestry and Natural Resources
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

Jarred Brooke<\/a>, Wildlife Extension Specialist
\nPurdue Forestry and Natural Resources<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

With the holidays over the needles are beginning to fall from your natural Christmas tree, continue to spread holiday cheer by returning your tree to nature. Jarred Brooke, Extension wildlife specialist, shares a few creative ways you can repurpose and recycle your tree this year. \u201cBefore you throw your used natural Christmas tree in the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[39,79,40,80,45,53,54],"tags":[1151,58,433,72],"class_list":["post-18762","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-aquaculturefish","category-aqua","category-christmastrees","category-trees","category-howto","category-urbanforestry","category-wildlife","tag-aquatics","tag-christmas-trees","tag-fish","tag-wildlife","audience-for-enthusiasts","audience-for-homeowners","audience-for-landowners","audience-for-professionals"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t