Skip to main content

Why mulching might be the best option for your old Christmas tree

Turn you Christmas tree into eco-friendly mulch

The gifts have been exchanged, the parties have ended, and you’re ushering your relatives out the door so you can enjoy the last of the holiday season in peace. There’s just one lingering loose end to tie up: What in the world are you going to do with that old Christmas tree?

If you have an artificial tree that’s still in good shape, the answer is simple — just pack it back into the box and put it into the attic or garage for another year. What about a natural tree, though? With environmental sustainability an ever-growing consideration for consumers, it’s no longer as simple as tossing the tree into the next available garbage truck.

It turns out that there are plenty of options for handling this issue. However, one stands out from the rest: mulching. Here’s a look at the most common ways to discard your tree and why mulching might be the best option.

Person carrying old Christmas tree
Image used with permission by copyright holder

How do I prep my Christmas tree for disposal?

The first stop is understanding your options. Possibilities can and will depend very heavily on local government agencies or businesses. While one city’s government will recycle trees, another’s may not. Any disposal plan should start with finding out what’s available in your community.

Here are some general rules to help you get your old Christmas tree ready to exit stage left:

  • Don’t wait for the tree to dry out. Dry trees pose a fire hazard.
  • When you’re ready, remove the tree stand, tree skirt, ornaments, and lights.
  • Before you move the tree, keep things clean by covering the tree with a large plastic tree removal bag (available from Christmas tree vendors as well as big-box or holiday stores). However, you should check with your final destination first, as some do not accept bagged trees.
  • If you have an old blanket or sheet, this could also help contain the mess as you move the tree outside.
  • If you’re setting your tree on the curb, be aware of and follow any instructions from those doing the removal.
  • Be sure the tree does not block access to roads, driveways, sidewalks, or mailboxes.

Now that your tree is properly prepared, it’s time to figure out where it’s going. Somewhere a little greener? Let’s see.

Man with Christmas trees
Image used with permission by copyright holder

What are the potential options for Christmas tree removal?

Before we get to mulching, let’s take a look at some of the other options that are available.

Curbside trash pickup: Even with so many new options out there, millions of trees each year still end up in landfills. This may not be ideal, especially for those concerned about how we use and manage natural resources, but hey — at least you got your living room back.

Donate to a parks or wildlife agency: Live Christmas trees can sometimes be donated to state parks or wildlife preserves, which use old trees to create new animal habitats — both on land and in the water.

Compost: The branches of a retired Christmas tree are welcome additions to the compost pile. They allow for good airflow through the compost and bring extra moisture to the environment. In many places, there are year-round services, including businesses that’ll take compost materials off your hands. Poke around and see if any accept Christmas trees.

Replant: This is only an option if your tree has its roots intact, which means the vast majority of Christmas revelers won’t be able to use this option. If you’re one of the few who has a tree with its roots still attached, move the tree outside to a cool, dry place for a few days to let it re-acclimate to the outdoor conditions. Then dig a hole at least twice as wide as the root system. Drop in your tree, fill in the hole, and water it, and then you’re all set.

Pine tree
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Why is mulching your Christmas tree the best option?

Also known as “treecycling,” mulching can be an easy and practical way to dispose of your old Christmas tree.

Here’s that broken record again: You’ll need to check with your local government agencies or nurseries to see if they make this option available. Some city governments and businesses accept Christmas trees and grind them into mulch, which they sometimes then sell or use in local landscapes and parks. If it’s the government doing the treecycling, it could be as easy as putting your tree on the curb.

Even if there’s no curbside Christmas tree pickup in your area, local groups will often hold treecycling events where you can drop off your tree for mulching, often deep into the month of January. In many instances, they’ll give you a bag of your own mulch to take home. For gardeners, that couldn’t come at a more opportune time. Mulch is essential for good plant health during cold-weather months. Think of it as a blanket for your garden that works to stave off frost and help excess water move through the soil.

It can also be fun to make the mulch yourself. Discard the needles and cut or chop the branches into small chunks. Cathartic!

Since you’re often able to reap the rewards yourself and don’t need a lot of extra steps or equipment to do it, mulching may be the best option for discarding your old Christmas tree. Whether you take it to your city government or mulch it yourself, it’s a fun and low- or no-cost option. You can also feel good about doing something green and closing the consumption loop by putting the old Christmas tree back in (or on) the earth. That seems like a fitting way to close out the season.

Editors' Recommendations

Scott Harris
Scott Harris is a freelance writer based near Washington, DC, with more than a decade of experience covering health…
Amazing tips for forget-me-nots care so they don’t take over your garden
Everything you need to know about growing forget-me-nots
A bumble bee on blue forget-me-not flowers

If you’re looking for a dainty, lovely flower to use as a ground cover in your garden, you can’t go wrong with forget-me-nots. Delicate in appearance but deceptively hardy, they make the perfect additions to cottage or woodland-style landscape designs. However, these sweet-looking flowers are native to Europe and invasive in the U.S., and they can quickly spread out of control.

If you want to grow these beautiful flowers without them taking over your garden, this is the guide for you. To keep your flower healthy and under control, this forget-me-nots care guide will break down everything you need to know.

Read more
9 low-maintenance outdoor potted plants your patio needs to be its brightest, most inviting self this summer
Add color to your patio with these low-maintenance potted plants
A patio with colorful potted plants surrounding a bench.

It's hard to resist the call of warm weather. Sitting outside on your patio with your friends or just a good book can be so relaxing, and adding your favorite flowers to the mix makes it even more so! Some bright colors and interesting plants could liven up this gathering spot, but what if your thumb isn't even remotely green? No problem. We've collected our 9 favorite low-maintenance outdoor potted plants for you to add to your patio. Whether you need sun-loving flowers, plants that prefer shade, or shrubs to fill the space, this guide to low-maintenance patio plants is sure to satisfy.

Have a patio that gets baked by the sun all day? Try these plants
Many of our favorite plants would wither up and die if exposed to the harsh sun all through the day. Here are some sun-loving beauties that thrive in full sun and are resistant to drought. 
Marigolds
Marigolds are one of the most popular flowering plants to place in pots on front porches or back decks. With their bright yellow and orange blooms, it's easy to see why! Not only are they gorgeous flowers, but they require almost effortless care. They prefer to dry out between waterings, and they love full sun. That means you can let them hang out in the sun and not worry about killing them if you miss a watering day.

Read more
Are you asking, ‘Why is my tomato plant wilting?’ Here’s how to be the hero in your garden
Properly water and inspect your tomatoes to prevent (or treat) wilting
Tomatoes on a tomato plant

Tomatoes are probably the most popular veggies grown at home. Even novice growers can grow these plants with little to no experience in growing anything. Even better, many of these beginners are successful because tomatoes are so easy to care for and grow in your own home. However, one of the most common questions about growing tomatoes is, "Why is my tomato plant wilting?" Well, it could be due to a few reasons. We'll take a look at them here and give you tips on how to get your tomato plants back into tip-top shape. 

Why do people grow tomato plants?
Let's first talk about why you want to grow tomato plants. Growing tomatoes at home has a lot of benefits. First, they're healthier than store-bought tomatoes, and they taste better, too! There's no denying that tomatoes grown at home have a richer flavor. Once you eat your own tomatoes, you'll likely find the store-bought ones flat and watery by comparison.

Read more