The most common Christmas tree recycling option is the free program sponsored by Pueblo city and county. Residents may drop-off their real Christmas trees at no cost beginning Wednesday, January 3 through Saturday, January 13. Vision Recycled Aggregate, located at 195 Vision Lane off East 4th Street, is accepting real Christmas trees for free between 9 AM and 3 PM Monday through Saturday. The site is closed on Sundays. Remove all decorations, tree stands, wires and/or nails from trees. No wreaths or garlands can be accepted due to the final chipping process.
Real Christmas trees dropped off by residents will be mulched. Free chips and mulch will be available to the public after 12 PM on Monday, January 15 on a first-come, first-served basis. According to Bill Ulfelder, executive director of The Nature Conservancy, tree mulch spread in the public parks are “Actually a really nice wildlife erosion control, and it’s an organic nutrient supply to our parks.” For more information about Pueblo’s free Christmas tree recycling program call the Health Department at 719-583-9901.
Another option for reusing your real Christmas tree can make for nature wonderment throughout the late winter. After removing all decorations, tinsel, etc., set up the tree in your yard and add strings of popcorn. This will make a pretty amazing winter playground for birds. When winter’s over and the tree has dried out, you can break it apart and throw it out in a yard waste bag.
Better yet, when spring rolls around, saw off all the smaller Christmas tree branches and you will have a nicely manageable trunk. You can then saw the trunk into smaller pieces and use it to line a garden bed or cut really thin pieces to make coasters. Cover the thin coaster pieces with polyurethane to keep the sap from leaking out.
The one thing you DON’T want to do with your old Christmas tree is burn it in your fireplace. Evergreens have high levels of creosote, which is basically tar, and can cause extremely dangerous smoke buildup.
Please consider exercising one of the useful options above for ridding your family of this year’s real Christmas tree. Our commitment to recycling is a large benefit to the future practicality of our children. They learn from us, especially during the holidays when experiences become traditions.
