LISLE, Ill.—Whether people with live Christmas trees intend to keep theirs up for a short or extended time this holiday season, the tree care experts at The Morton Arboretum recommend planning ahead for their proper disposal once they’re taken down.
“Festive evergreen trees brighten homes during the holiday season, but they won’t last forever,” said the Arboretum’s Plant Clinic Manager Spencer Campbell. “It’s crucial to safely and appropriately discard a tree after its use to prevent a fire hazard.”
The Arboretum’s Plant Clinic provides free advice by email for those with questions about how to care for trees and plants, including Christmas trees. Campbell offers these recommendations for proper tree disposal:
- Prevent fires. Dry trees can quickly become fire hazards. Discard a tree as soon as it shows signs of drying out. Dry needles will become brittle and start to fall off, and the tree will no longer absorb water. “Never burn an evergreen tree in a fireplace or woodstove, as it may cause buildup that could lead to a chimney fire,” Campbell cautioned.
- Bare evergreen trees can be recycled at participating facilities. Check with local municipalities or waste management companies about tree recycling or disposal arrangements, including when and where trees will be picked up or whether they need to be brought to a recycling site. Recycled trees are chipped into mulch or compost. In some municipalities, people can pick up the fine-smelling mulch and spread it in their gardens.
- Clear the branches. “Only the actual tree can be recycled,” Campbell said. “Be sure to remove all decorations. If using a plastic tree bag to carry the tree from the house, take the bag off outside.” Trees that aren’t bare will go to a landfill instead of being recycled. Flocked trees—those covered in white synthetic powder to suggest snow—can’t be recycled. They must be thrown away in regular trash. Don’t recycle live garlands, wreaths or anything containing wire, which could damage the shredding machinery. Discard those items in the trash.
- Consider your garden. Branches cut from a tree can help protect plants in gardens. Branches laid over garden beds will insulate the soil so it doesn’t heat up in winter warm spells and cause plants to emerge prematurely from dormancy. This is most useful in full-sun beds.
- Give wildlife a hand. “If space permits–and neighbors don’t mind–leave the tree in your backyard to provide shelter for birds and other animals during winter,” Campbell said. Individuals can also place the trunk in a pond on their private property to provide shelter for fish.
The Morton Arboretum Plant Clinic is generously sponsored by Bartlett Tree Experts.
About The Morton Arboretum
The Morton Arboretum is a globally recognized leader in tree research and education. Its 1,700 acre site cares for 106,714 specimens representing 4,067 different kinds of plants. The Arboretum’s Center for Tree Science, Global Tree Conservation Program, Chicago Region Trees Initiative, and Center for Species Survival: Trees are contributing scientific knowledge and technical experience to secure the future of trees locally, nationally, and worldwide. Information about the Arboretum’s scientific work and how it contributes to a greener, healthier world where people and trees thrive together can be found at mortonarb.org.