I planted a Christmas Tree in my garden last week.
Well, I didn’t plant it so much as I drug it out of the living room, out into the back yard and tossed it into my garden to sit a spell. In the meantime, I heated an old jar of peanut butter in the microwave, then poured it on the drying branches of the tree and sprinkled bird seed on top. I have now converted our old Christmas Tree into a new bird feeder and sanctuary. I have since seen my snowbirds and sparrows take refuge in its branches while pecking away at the seeds.
Come spring, I will remove the tree and disassemble the branches as kindling for my fire pit. The shedding needles will add organic matter to my garden soil, and I will begin planting.
Christmas trees have many uses other than as the holders of ornaments and the protectors of wrapped gifts. They also make stupendous fish attractors when submerged in a pond or lake. By next April, the crappie and bass will call the tree home base.
If it’s not too late, save your Christmas tree for the birds or the fish. It’s too valuable of a resource to only use once.