This year, instead of tossing your used Christmas tree to the curb for yard waste pickup, why not give it as a gift…to your yard? Letting your tree (no tinsel or ornaments) decompose in your yard can create a wonderful habitat for insects (the good kind), birds, and other wildlife during the cold winter months.
Here’s why it matters:
- Insect Habitat: Decomposing wood provides shelter for beneficial bugs that are essential to our ecosystem. These bugs provide much needed protein for birds during the winter months when food is scarce.
- Wildlife Haven: Evergreen branches can serve as a cozy resting spot for birds and other wildlife, giving them a safe, wind-free place to perch and find food.
- Natural Mulch: Over time, the tree will break down and enrich your soil naturally.
It’s an easy way to give a gift to our natural environment after the holiday season. Just set your tree in a quiet corner of your yard - or chop it into smaller pieces if space is tight.
Here are eight ways to give the gift of your Christmas Tree - from the Arbor Day Foundation
Let's all work together to make New Castle greener for everyone.
Please contact us with any questions NewCastleConservationBoard@MyNewCastleNY.gov
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