Christmas is over and you’re making plans to take down your beloved tree but what’s the best way to recycle or dispose of it now the festivities have ended? We offer some top tips and inspiration.
Cut real trees can also be recycled. Don’t send them to landfill, where they will break down, creating harmful methane gas, which is 25 times more potent as a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide!
Other great ways of using your old tree in the garden include planting the bare tree in a bed and allow climbers, like scented sweet peas or clematis, to grow up it to; using branches to cover and protect plants in beds from the elements during winter (simply lay the cut branches over plants on the soil surface to maintain a warmer temperature and protect from frost); or even cut the truck, twigs and branches down to pile up in a bundle and create a deadwood shelter for wildlife ( this is a great one to get kids involved in and help them learn about the creatures in their gardens).
Missing the scent of Christmas? You can always use your tree to create your own festive potpourri. Grab a few of the pine branches and chop off a good-sized portion of the tree stump. Collect some typical festive scents, like cinnamon sticks, cloves and fresh cranberries to add into the mix. Place it all in a heatproof dish, adding water up to the halfway point, then place in a warm place, such as on top of a radiator cover, ready to enjoy the heady scent as the water begins to warm up.