Give Your Christmas Tree A Second Life
Give Your Christmas Tree A Second Life: As the holiday season draws near, many of us will bring a beautiful real Christmas tree into our homes to decorate and celebrate. But what happens to the tree once the festivities are over? Instead of sending it to the landfill, why not give your tree a second life in your garden?
We would like to say thank you to Jenny Saunders from the Marldon Community Composting Scheme, who has offered these fab tips below…
Give Your Christmas Tree A Second Life
If you’ve opted for a potted tree with roots, consider planting it in your garden after the holidays. Just remember that spruce trees, while lovely, can grow tall quite quickly, so be sure to give it plenty of room to thrive. However, if your tree was cut through the trunk, it won’t survive in the garden. The good news is, you can still put it to great use!
Transform Your Christmas Tree into Mulch
Instead of discarding your cut tree, shred it into small pieces to create a fantastic ericaceous mulch. This mulch—perfect for acid-loving plants—can help to improve soil structure while keeping weeds at bay. Simply apply a thick layer of 4 to 5 cm around your plants, and watch as worms and microbes break down the material, enriching your soil over time.
Best Uses for Christmas Tree Mulch:
- Around Ericaceous Plants: Spread the mulch around acid-loving plants like camellias, rhododendrons, and azaleas, but be sure to keep the mulch from touching the stems or building up against the trunk.
- Hedges and Trees: You can also use the mulch around hedges and trees, extending it to the outer edges of the branches. Again, avoid direct contact with stems.
- Paths and Walkways: Use the shredded tree and needles along dirt paths to keep weeds at bay and your boots clean as you stroll through the garden.
Although Christmas tree mulch is naturally acidic, it poses no risk when used around plants in your flower beds. However, it’s best to avoid using it in your vegetable patch, as most vegetables prefer slightly alkaline soil.
This Christmas, don’t let your tree go to waste. Recycle it into a valuable garden resource and give your garden a sustainable boost for the year ahead!
Products for cutting up and shredding your Christmas tree
To help with cutting up your tree why not use one of the STIGA SC 100e Kit Battery Pruning Shears which offers precision pruning with ease and is a snip at only £129. For BIG cuts try one of the STIGA Chainsaws starting from £149
For shredding the Bio Silent 2500 Electric Garden Shredder is reliable and silent and a festive price of £249
More information about the ‘Marldon Community Composting Group’ can be found on their Facebook page or you can contact them at Tel: 07773304155 or Email: marldon.community.compost@gmail.com
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