Explore eco-friendly options to dispose of Christmas trees after use

Q: We moved into our new home here in Albuquerque in September. We got a cut tree to decorate for Christmas and since we’re so new to the area, we are wondering how we dispose of it now that the holiday is over? — B.W., Albuquerque

A: Good news for you as there are several things you can do with the cut Christmas tree, all of which will help keep our environment tidier.

First, consider moving the tree, stand and all, into your backyard if you have one that will allow the space. Then hang bird seed ‘disks’ from it to make a bird feeding station. If you have the wherewithal, string fruits like green grapes, whole cranberries and then add popcorn to drape around the tree as a bird friendly garland. Consider slicing oranges in half and wedge the halves into the tree. Set wide shallow saucers on the ground near the tree to keep filled with fresh water for the birds too. That way you’ll be offering our feathered friends an additional way to feed themselves throughout the balance of this winter. That’s a good thing.

Next, if you have any gardening beds in your yard you can utilize the tree to protect the beds. Cut the limbs off the main trunk and lay the branches over the area where you have any tender perennials planted. As the branches settle they will make igloo sort of shapes that will help insulate the spaces underneath them. Keeping the ground at a more consistent temperature is always a good thing to do in these parts. The trunk can be sawed into more manageable lengths to be stored and bundled for the next city offered ‘green-cycle’ event this coming spring.

Now, if you are done with the tree and don’t want to keep using it as a project, there is a simple way to dispose of the tree and be community conscious while you’re at it.

The city of Albuquerque’s solid waste division offers ‘tree-cycling’ at three locations where you can take the holiday tree and it will be ground up for use as mulch. The service started on Dec. 26, and will continue through Jan. 8, 2025, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily at Eagle Rock Convenience Center, 6301 Eagle Rock NE and Ladera Golf Course, 3401 Ladera NW. Montessa Park Convenience Center, 3512 Los Picaros SE, offers the same hours with the exception of Thursday and Friday when it is closed. This service is free and all will accept up to five trees per client so if you have neighbors that have a tree to whisk away, that would be a good thing for you to offer.

Also, since the trees are mulched on-site, the solid waste divison offers a pile of the mulch if you wish to take some of this most fragrant mulch home to use in your gardens and landscaping. It is first come, first to take and no, the employees don’t assist you with the gathering of the mulch. Bring your own containers and shovel to partake of the mulch if you want some.

The city of Rio Rancho has ‘green-cycling’ available too. Also, please don’t take advantage of this terrific service. It’s meant for cut Christmas trees only. Kindly, do not bring trimmings of your landscaping or bags of leaves.

On that note, do make sure that the trees are as de-decorated as possible. No stands, tinsel, garland, light strands or ornaments please. Remember that the trees are going to weigh much less than when they were first purchased. Be sure to tie the trees down securely before you transport them anywhere. Be safe and smart when taking the tree that graced your home for the holidays knowing that by ‘green-cycling’ it now or waiting for the spring event that you are doing a good thing.

Happy Diggin’ In this holiday season and best wishes to you all this coming new year!

Tracey Fitzgibbon is a certified nurseryman. Send garden-related questions to Digging In, Albuquerque Journal, 7777 Jefferson St. NE, Albuquerque, N.M. 87109, or to features@abqjournal.com.