Don’t Use Your Christmas Tree for Firewood (but You Can Recycle It in Other Ways)
When it comes time to cut down your natural wood, you may think that throwing it in the fireplace is an economical and easy disposal solution. However, you should not burn the tree for firewood – this can cause problems with the fireplace and chimney. Instead of risking your safety, there are other, more environmentally friendly ways to reuse wood and still reduce disposal costs.
Evergreen trees typically have resin or sap, as well as needles. These differences from traditional firewood can cause your wood to burn very hot, throw a lot of sparks, and cause creosote to build up in the chimney. Creosote can cause a chimney fire if it becomes thick enough before the chimney is cleaned. A fire that is too hot can also damage the bricks or masonry of the chimney, preventing it from properly venting smoke outside. Excessively smoky fires from uncured wood are also a danger when using a Christmas tree as fuel, so it is best to use only seasoned wood intended for burning as fuel.
Best Ways to Recycle a Christmas Tree
However, there are other ways to “recycle” your Christmas tree that are safer. Here are some ideas:
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Use it as firewood for an outdoor fire . While you should take precautions to avoid igniting surrounding bushes or dry grass from flying sparks, you can burn your Christmas tree in an outdoor fire pit. Since the fire pit does not require a chimney or chimney, you don’t have to worry about starting a chimney fire with resinous wood. Because needles can cause very hot and unpredictable fires, you should always have the proper fire extinguishers and hoses on hand, just in case.
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Use it for mulch . Christmas trees make excellent wood chips and can be used as weed barriers in landscaping projects. In some locations, your local waste removal facility may have a tree removal program where trees can be recycled into wood chips. If not, you can always decide to split the shredder rental with your neighbors and get some inexpensive, fresh-smelling mulch out of the deal.
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Take a chainsaw and go about your business . Cutting wood from trees and making clever DIY stands from tree trunk coils is a fun way to recycle wood. You can make a border for your garden bed using parts of a tree trunk. As with any chainsaw recycling project, be sure to wear a face mask , thick gloves , and protective clothing to avoid turning your vacation recycling project into a trip to the emergency room.
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Use smaller branches as plant markers and stakes . Select a branch and remove all small twigs and needles from it. Then use a vegetable peeler or sharp knife to remove the bark. You can write the name of your plant on a stake or marker with a permanent marker once the bark is removed.
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Make bags from pine needles . Using scraps of fabric sewn into small pillows and stuffed with needles, this type of sachet can be used to keep drawers and cabinets fresh. You can also use pine needles (or branches with lots of pine needles) to cover vegetable gardens or perennial plants for the winter. This practice can return nutrients back into the soil and also help prevent mold.