Close Menu
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    • Home
    • About Us
    • Digital Subscription
    • Advertisement
    • Contact Us
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    The Tennessee TribuneThe Tennessee Tribune
    Advertise With Us
    • Home
      • COVID-19 Resource Center
        • Dr. Henry Louis Gates’ PSA Radio
      • Featured
    • News
      • State
      • Local
      • National/International News
      • Global
      • Business
        • Commentary
        • Finance
        • Local Business
      • Investigative Stories
        • Affordable Housing
        • DCS Investigation
        • Gentrification
    • Editorial
      • National Politics
      • Local News
      • Local Editorial
      • Political Editorial
      • Editorial Cartoons
      • Cycle of Shame
    • Community
      • History
      • Tennessee
        • Chattanooga
        • Clarksville
        • Knoxville
        • Memphis
      • Public Notices
      • Women
        • Let’s Talk with Ms. June
    • Education
      • College
        • American Baptist College
        • Belmont University
        • Fisk
        • HBCU
        • Meharry
        • MTSU
        • University of Tennessee
        • TSU
        • Vanderbilt
      • Elementary
      • High School
    • Lifestyle
      • Art
      • Auto
      • Tribune Travel
      • Entertainment
        • 5 Questions With
        • Books
        • Events
        • Film Review
        • Local Entertainment
      • Family
      • Food
        • Drinks
      • Health & Wellness
      • Home & Garden
      • Featured Books
    • Religion
      • National Religion
      • Local Religion
      • Obituaries
        • National Obituaries
        • Local Obituaries
      • Faith Commentary
    • Sports
      • MLB
        • Sounds
      • NBA
      • NCAA
      • NFL
        • Predators
        • Titans
      • NHL
      • Other Sports
      • Golf
      • Professional Sports
      • Sports Commentary
      • Metro Sports
    • Media
      • Video
      • Photo Galleries
      • Take 10
      • Trending With The Tribune
    • Classified
    • Obituaries
      • Local Obituaries
      • National Obituaries
    The Tennessee TribuneThe Tennessee Tribune
    Featured

    5 Ways to Recycle Your Christmas Tree in Tennessee

    adminBy adminDecember 25, 2024Updated:December 27, 2024No Comments4 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Telegram Pinterest Tumblr Reddit Email
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    There’s nothing like the smell of a real Christmas tree, and for a lot of us, it’s not Christmas without one. In fact, in the US, around 22 million Christmas trees are purchased every year (“Christmas Tree Purchases By The Numbers”). But what do you do with your tree once Christmas is over? Good news, there are many great ways to recycle your tree, keep them off our roadways and prevent them from doing more harm than good.

    1. Replant It

    One of the newest trends is buying a Christmas tree with roots attached. Several Christmas tree farms in Tennessee, as well as many big box stores, offer this option that allows you to plant it after Christmas and watch it grow for many years to come. (“The 9 Best Christmas Tree Farms in Tennessee!“)

    2. Have It Picked Up

    In many city and suburban areas, Christmas trees are collected from curbside during the first 2 weeks in January by either your solid waste management company or county brush pickup. Your tree will be turned into mulch or recycled in other ways by your city or county.

    Be sure to remove all lights, wire, tinsel, ornaments, nails, stands, other non-organic decorative materials and anything else that is not part of the original tree. Flocked trees are usually accepted, but not artificial trees. Large trees (over 7 ft) may need to be cut in half to be acceptable for disposal. Check here or with your local resources to find out more. (Tennessee: Where and How to Recycle Your Christmas Tree After the Holidays January 2022)

    3. Donate It

    If your area doesn’t offer pickup, you may be able to bring it to a local recycling or mulching center (check our handy recycling guide for more info). Every year the trees are chipped and made into mulch which is usually made available and accessible to city or county residents.

    You may also donate it to your local zoo or wildlife center (make sure to call ahead and ask if they can use it). Discarded Christmas trees are regarded as tasty treats by some animals, such as giraffes, zebras and even goats. Bears and large cats also enjoy playing with them. It’s a great way to reuse your tree and give it a second life.

    4. Create a Wildlife Shelter

    If you have room at your own house, your old tree can be turned into a shelter for small animals and birds or even fish. Stand your tree or a few of the larger branches in your backyard as a home or feeder for birds or you can sink pieces of your tree into a backyard pond as a refuge and feeding area for fish. Pine and other evergreen trees break down quickly, so it’s a great way to dispose of your tree responsibly.

    5. Use It For Crafts

    You can make a bird feeder from the stump or branches. Branches can also be used for potpourri. Just mix them with cinnamon sticks, dried orange slices and cranberries for a festive smell around your home. Thin slices of the trunk can be cut and turned into coasters or ornaments. They would make great gifts or décor for next Christmas!

    DON’T drop your trees off at landfills or dumpsites. There are so many other ways to dispose of them, and taking trees to landfills creates more harm than good.

    Also, refrain from burning your tree in your fireplace as a way to dispose of it. Evergreen’s flammable oils will coat your chimney with creosote and increase your risk of a fire. Burning it outside also sends the tree’s carbon back into the atmosphere, so it’s best to avoid burning it all together.

    However you get rid of your Christmas tree, TDOT encourages you to dispose of it safely and sustainably after the holidays!

    Chattanooga Knoxville Memphis Middle Tennessee Nashville Tennessee
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    admin

    Related Posts

    Emmett Till National Monument May Be Removed Under Trump Admin

    June 28, 2025

    TSU, State, reach agreement to reallocate $96M to school

    June 26, 2025

    TSU student lands prestigious internship at Harvard Medical School

    June 25, 2025

    Nashville Office of Emergency Management Continues Heat Patrols

    June 25, 2025

    Cohen’s District Director was “an Extremely Talented Administrator”

    June 23, 2025

    Black Americans Face Unequal Burden as U.S. Inches Closer to War

    June 22, 2025

    Comments are closed.

    Business

    Charlotte Knight Griffin Takes Office as TBA President-Elect

    June 30, 2025

    EXCLUSIVE OP-ED: President Joe Biden Commemorating Juneteenth

    June 19, 2025

    FUNdraising Good Times Report from Neighborhoods USA Conference in Jacksonville

    June 4, 2025
    1 2 3 … 384 Next
    Education
    Education

    Austin Peay’s MPH program receives $27K for childhood literacy initiative. Community LIFT Project to be implemented at Head Start centers this fall

    By Ethan SteinquestJune 30, 2025

    CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Austin Peay State University’s Master of Public Health program is on a…

    TSU, State, reach agreement to reallocate $96M to school

    June 26, 2025

    TSU student lands prestigious internship at Harvard Medical School

    June 25, 2025

    FAMU stakeholders file lawsuit to prevent Marva Johnson’s confirmation as the university’s 13th President

    June 21, 2025
    The Tennessee Tribune
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    • About Us
    • Digital Subscription
    • Store
    • Advertise With Us
    • Contact
    © 2025 The Tennessee Tribune - Site Designed by No Regret Media.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    Our Spring Sale Has Started

    You can see how this popup was set up in our step-by-step guide: https://wppopupmaker.com/guides/auto-opening-announcement-popups/