Christmas Tree Recycling

One of the pleasures of the holiday season is decorating the house, putting up lights and trimming the Christmas tree. But after the holidays its always nice to get things back to normal again. For those that opt for an artificial tree, packing it back in the box and storing it in the garage takes only a few minutes. But for those traditionalists that choose a fresh cut tree each year, the question arises what to do with the tree once the ornaments, tinsel and lights are packed away. According to Buzz Warren of the National Christmas Tree Association, about ninety per cent of all fresh cut Christmas trees are now recycled.

WARREN: There are recycling programs in every major city, most smaller cities, counties, all over the country. Those trees are recycled. They’re chipped, they’re used as mulch, they’re used as walking and running paths, they’re used as erosion control. Using Christmas trees as mulching material is by far the most popular was of recycling but new a creative uses are dreamed up every year and include spawning grounds for fish, rebuilding sand dunes and developing influenza medicines as one Toronto based company began last year. The main ingredient in Tamiflu, one of the most popular flu medicines, is shikimic acid and that is extracted from the needles of discarded pine trees. ??One group in northern Indiana has been using discarded Christmas trees as part of a 25 acre wildlife rehabilitation site where the trees provide cover for birds, chipmunks, raccoons and other small wild animals, protecting them from predators as well as shielding them in harsh weather. ??In Tomahawk, Wisconsin the recycled trees are providing power for their pulp and paper mill. The trees are ground up and the material is used as boiler fuel. ??Every year the number of uses for the families Christmas tree increases as people get more and more creative. Growing up, our family used our old tree in the back yard as a bird feeder. At least until spring came, then the tree was cut up and disposed. ??But again if you are like most communities, there are local collection points where the trees are gathered and then taken for mulching. Be sure and check with your local waste company or check your local paper for collection times and locations. Those beautiful trees that brought so much holiday cheer will live on throughout the year. ??Thats todays Line On Agriculture. Im Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.