Christmas is over. It’s time to un-decorate the tree, drag it out to the curb and let the trash guys do their thing.
But not so fast! A Christmas tree has many uses after the holiday season is over. For one, it makes ideal cover for small birds as they face the coming winter. On a few occasions, I have convinced my wife to let me drag the tree to my vegetable garden and remain there until the spring planting. Almost immediately, small songbirds will gather on or in the tree and use it as a home base.
In the past, I have smeared peanut butter and suet on and among the branches and scattered seeds beside and beneath it. Sparrows, finches and cardinals love the trees where they feel safe from predators – and it gives them some protection from the elements.
But there is another great use for an old Christmas tree – as a fish attractor. If you have access to a pond or lake – and with the landowner’s permission – take the tree to the pond, tie a cinder block to the trunk and drop it in 8 to 12 feet of water. A submerged evergreen tree will last several years and you can count on bass and crappie to gather around the submerged tree. After all, the cover offered by the tree attracts small organisms, which attracts minnows, which attracts larger fish, which attracts great big fish.
This year, make good use of your tree after Christmas. Don’t simply relegate it to the trash dump.
