Ways to recycle real Christmas trees

"Joy to the world" can extend beyond the holidays for those who have decorated a real Christmas tree.

Real trees can be recycled in a number of ways that help nature renew itself. In the short term, one easy use is to strip the tree of its ornaments and set it upright in the garden, well away from buildings. It will protect and shelter birds through winter.

You also can add a few simple items to turn it into a sort of instant bird feeder by hanging orange slices, peanut butter-packed pinecones, or balls of suet and seed. Ropes of popcorn or cranberries will add to the festive look.

Another short-term use is to cut the branches from the tree and use them to protect semi-hardy perennials or young trees and shrubs from winter's weather extremes. Next spring, the branches will need to go into a chipper- shredder or compost pile.

But you can use the trunk as a garden stake, or you can cut and save it to use next winter as firewood, or, you can cut it into 6- to 8-inch lengths that you pound in, side-by- side, for a naturalistic edging.

Putting a discarded Christmas tree on its side in the woods can provide shelter for small mammals. You need to be careful, though, about the spot you choose. You do not want to be accused of dumping nor do you want to encourage wildlife to take up residence where they may become a pest later.

Those who own or have free access to a pond that is not frozen solid can sink their own tree.

It is a simple process. Just use a short, stout rope to tie the trunk to a cinderblock. Then you toss all of it in. If you want, you can even mark the spot with a buoy by first tying a closed, but empty bleach bottle to the tree with a length of twine. Then you will know the best place to fish next summer!

Increasingly, communities have programs to collect old Christmas trees and chip them into mulch used in public parks or place whole trees in lakes. Wood-chip mulches conserve water, moderate soil temperatures and provide some weed control. Then, when chips rot, they improve the soil.

The city of Fort Scott will collect trees for city residents on Thursday, Dec. 30 and the first three Fridays in January. Please call Patty at (620) 223-4360 to schedule a pick-up on one of those dates. Other county residents should check with their city officials to see if they offer a pick-up.

Here's to wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from the Bourbon County Extension Office. We look forward to serving you during the upcoming year.

America's Farmers Grow Communities program: One last reminder of the great opportunity provided by Monsanto. If you are a Bourbon County resident with over 240 acres of corn and/or beans, and are 21 years old you can nominate the Bourbon County 4-H Development Fund to be the recipient of a $2,500 grant to help our members further their leadership and citizenship skills. Please apply online at www.growcommunities.com or call (877) 267-3332 to apply by phone.

Editor's Note: Delta George is a K-State Research and Extension agriculture and 4-H extension agent assigned to Bourbon County. She may be reached at (620) 223-3720.