Holiday gift to Earth
It’s nearly a week after Christmas. After all, the presents under the tree were unwrapped days ago and it’s time to get rid of the tree.
But before discarding that Christmas tree in the trash after the holiday season has run its course, consider putting it to good use for the environment.
Environmentalists say there’s a lot of life left in a dead Christmas tree. And, recycling a Christmas tree can be as simple as lugging it to the garbage heap.
Christmas trees are biodegradable. With their branches removed, they can be sent through a chipper and used for a variety of purposes, including mulch for gardens, playgrounds and animal stalls.
However, people disposing of trees in any of these manners need to remove all artificial decorations, hooks and tinsel.
Sunk into ponds, trees make excellent refuge and feeding areas for fish and other wildlife. Many ponds and reservoirs contain little or no natural underwater structures for fish because the waterways were originally cleared for boating, natural structures have decayed with age and fluctuating water levels prevent growth of underwater vegetation. Without these structures, fish often are dispersed and hard to catch.
Sinking cut Christmas trees into ponds and reservoirs causes fish to concentrate in these areas and improves fishing. Some fish hide in the branches to escape predators, others feed on snails and aquatic insects found on the structures and most fish seek the shaded areas during hot and sunny days.
You should however, get permission from the pond owner before placing trees in a pond.
Decorated with edible ornaments such as popcorn, berries and orange slices, the trees can also provide shelter for a variety of birds and can be used to make effective sand-and soil-erosion barriers, especially on beaches and river beds.