How to recycle a Christmas tree - Five genius ways to use your tree post-December
Make sure you dispose of your Christmas tree responsibly

As the time comes to wrap up the fairy lights and finish of the last chocolate in the Quality Street tin, your thoughts might have turned to taking the tree down. Artificial trees can be wrapped up for next year, but a real version needs to be recycled carefully.
Related: Christmas tree light hacks – avoid the dreaded tangle when taking the lights down!
When it comes to how to recycle a Christmas tree, if you don't have a garden waste bin you will need to put in a call to thecouncil (opens in new tab) to take it away. However, before you call the council, there are a whole host of ways to get a few extra uses of your Christmas tree before it goes in a shredder.
Real Christmas trees aren’t cheap. Many trees over 5ft can cost upwards of £40. So it is important to get as much as possible out of your purchase.
From creating a drinks coasters to scenting your home, Squire’s Garden Centres (opens in new tab) have shared five creative uses for your Christmas tree post-December.
How to recycle your Christmas tree
1. Turn it into a natural air freshener
Make the most of that gorgeous pine scent by plucking out the pine needles and adding them to a bowl of potpourri.
2. Transform the trunk into a home accessory
If you're handy with a saw and sander, a Christmas tree trunk is the perfect raw material to transform into drinks coasters, tealight holders, coat wrack or even a bannister. Before committing to this project make sure you have space to dry the wood before using it. A garage or garden shed will do the trick.
3. Use the branches to protect your garden
The Christmas tree branches are the perfect way to protect your flowerbeds and vegetable patch from frost during the winter. But the branches off and layer over the top to make sure your garden survive the snow and frost and is flourishing come spring.
4. Cut up as wood for an outdoor firepit
Current circumstances have catapulted outdoor firepits from a Love Island luxury to a household essential. This type of wood is perfect for fueling an outdoor fire to keep warm during socially distanced meet-ups. However, don't be tempted to burn the wood inside as it burns incredibly hot and can be dangerous.
5. Turn your Christmas tree into mulch
Rather than shelling out on mulch and compost to feed your garden, you can use your old Christmas tree. If you have a shredder at home, you can pass it through that. Just be sure to cut the tree into small sections first. Or take it to a recycling centre where they can shred it for you.
Related: How to make money from recycling common household items – from print cartridges to tea towels
If you have invested in a real Christmas tree, don't just leave it on the side of the road for someone else to deal with. Make sure you recycle it responsibly.
Rebecca Knight has been the Deputy Editor on the Ideal Home Website since 2022. She graduated with a Masters degree in magazine journalism from City, University of London in 2018, before starting her journalism career as a staff writer on women's weekly magazines. She fell into the world of homes and interiors after joining the Ideal Home website team in 2019 as a Digital Writer. In 2020 she moved into position of Homes News Editor working across Homes & Gardens, LivingEtc, Real Homes, Gardeningetc and Ideal Home covering everything from the latest viral cleaning hack to the next big interior trend.
-
How to paint a room – 11 steps to transform your space with paint
Learn how to paint a room to give your space a bold new look or simply freshen up walls and woodwork
By Millie Hurst
-
Inside Harry Styles' former Hollywood home above Sunset Strip
The former One Directioner sold his enviable mansion above Sunset Strip in LA in 2019
By Heather Young
-
Blue and grey living room ideas - how to pair these two shades to perfection
Use these blue and grey living room ideas to create a calm and refreshing lounge
By Thea Babington-Stitt
-
This Christmas tree decorating calculator tells you just how many baubles you need
Thank us later
By Millie Hurst
-
The best Christmas candles – 7 fragrances to set a festive scene
Up the festivities with help from these lovely Christmas candles – as chosen (and loved) by us
By Annie Collyer
-
Real Aldi Christmas trees are back from just £14.99 – get one while you can!
Still not got a tree? Branch out by picking up a bargain Christmas tree while doing your food shop this week
By Rebecca Knight
-
Country Christmas decorating ideas for the perfect cosy season
Be inspired by welcoming rural cottages for a nostalgic country Christmas this festive season with these cosy decorating ideas
By Jennifer Ebert
-
The Asda rose-gold Christmas tree Instagram is calling 'EPIC'
It's kitsch, it's cute and it's definitely sparkly
By Laurie Davidson
-
Rustic Christmas decorating ideas for a natural and relaxed home
Create a welcoming and cosy look with rustic Christmas decorating ideas this December
By Jennifer Ebert
-
Traditional Christmas decorating ideas for a timeless festive scheme
Embrace the classics by opting for evocative and comforting traditional Christmas decorating ideas over this festive season
By Thea Babington-Stitt
-
Christmas colour schemes to create your festive look this season
It’s not all just reds and greens - find a new colourway to style your home this Noël with one of our 20 Christmas colour schemes
By Thea Babington-Stitt