8 Ways To Use Your Christmas Tree In Your Garden After The Holidays

Christmas Andrija Nikolic/E+/Getty Images Your backyard birds are going to love this. by Katie McPherson Jan. 9, 2023

Richard Clark/The Image Bank/Getty Images So, it’s time to toss your Christmas tree. If you’re a gardener, before you drag your spruce to the curb, consider all its parts and pieces that could be helpful for your plants in the coming months (even if it just adds to your compost pile or becomes great smelling mulch).

FilippoBacci/E+/Getty Images Compost it. That’s right — adding your tree’s trunk and branches to the compost heap will help make fertile soil for your future plants. Of course, chopping it up into smaller pieces or mulching it will help the sections break down more rapidly.

Shutterstock One of the simplest ways to use your Christmas tree in the garden is to turn it into mulch for your plant beds. While you’re at it, remember to grab a handful of wood chips and bring it inside to dry — voilà, all-natural potpourri.

Kathrin Ziegler/DigitalVision/Getty Images Trim off your Christmas tree’s branches and make a wreath for your shed or greenhouse. It’s a great way to reuse those natural materials, and practice your wreath-making skills without the pressure of putting your first attempt on the front door.

Liliya Krueger/Moment/Getty Images Make a sanctuary for birds and squirrels. Planting or propping up your Christmas tree outside will give birds a place to nest for the winter. If you have bread or produce nearing their expiration, tie them onto the tree like ornaments for the critters to enjoy.

Shutterstock Lay your tree on the ground for small mammals to stay warm. Rabbits and other animals could use more dense greenery to bed down in on cold winter nights, and while your tree still has some foliage, it’s a perfect bunny hotel.

AzmanJaka/E+/Getty Images Save your Christmas tree’s branches to use as plant supports, and to make some simple trellises. For vegetable plants like peas and tomatoes, having something to climb is crucial for their health. Plus, it’ll be nice to have some extra supports around just in case.

Aitor Diago/Moment/Getty Images Do you like growing vegetables in the spring? If the birds are always after your produce, save some Christmas tree branches and needles to stuff yourself a scarecrow. This way, if any of its insides fall out into the garden, at least you know its all-natural.

svetikd/E+/Getty Images Replant it. Christmas trees are surprisingly resilient, and given a good quality soil and some time, they can often reroot themselves. Who knows, maybe this time next year, you can dig up the same tree and bring it back indoors (or maybe pot it, this time).

Catherine McQueen/Moment/Getty Images Once you get your tree outside, it might be worth your while to scrape some needles off for use. Add them to any slippery or muddy spots in the garden to create traction — no more slips, slides, or falling.

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