Christmas is over, and lots of people are likely wondering what to do with their tree. If you splashed out and bought a real tree this year then disposing of it can be tricky.
However, rather than throwing it away, there is one way you can use it to ensure your garden thrives over the winter months. Eflorist’s garden expert, David Denyer, says that a Christmas tree can be a massive help in the garden as long as you know how to use it. He said: “Many people don’t realise just how valuable a Christmas tree becomes once the decorations come down.” Instead of just taking it to the dump, David says you should first strip it of its needles. Pine tree needles can be a massive help in the garden.
He said: “Once mulched, the needles and branches of a Christmas tree can help your garden soil retain moisture, suppress any weeds, and gradually enrich the soil as they decompose.
“A layer of mulch during January or February will also help protect any plant roots from frost, giving plants extra protection during the coldest weeks of winter while preparing the garden for early spring growth.”
Even better, Christmas trees can be a huge help for yourplants. They are naturally acidic so if you are growing things like blueberries, azaleas and rhododendrones, they will benefit greatly.
Pine trees are great for these plants, because they like acidic conditions – but they are great for other plants too. David said: “Gardeners shouldn’t worry about Christmas tree mulch dramatically altering soil pH. As pine needles break down, they quickly neutralise, meaning you can safely use them around most shrubs, perennials, and fruit bushes.”
The naturally prickly pine needles make a great deterrent for slugs and snails.
If you want to use your leftover Christmas tree in the garden, here’s how you can do it.
The quickest and easiest way to mulch a tree is by shredding it. If you have access to a garden shredder, use it to break the whole tree down into mulch.
If you don’t, then lay your tree out on a tarpaulin and allow the needles to fall off naturally. This should take a couple of days, and then you can lay them around the shrubs as a light mulch. The remaining branches can be cut by hand and added to your compost heap, or stacked to create an animal friendly shelter in the garden.
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