Make use of that Christmas tree eNature

[Donna]

Old Christmas Trees Make New Bird Cover
Posted on Monday, January 02, 2012 by eNature
Female Dark-eyed Junco


Instead of discarding the family Christmas tree this year, turn it into cover for the birds. The life of the festive tree can be extended for several more months by taking it outside and laying it down or propping it up near or next to a bird feeder. In a matter of minutes, the old Christmas tree is providing new natural cover for the birds.

Every New Year’s, after undecorating our Christmas tree, I drag it outside and anchor it upright behind a low tray feeder just outside the sunroom where we eat breakfast and lunch everyday during the winter. The addition of the tree as cover behind the tray feeder immediately increases the number and kinds of birds that feed at the tray. In addition to the usual ground feeders, such as dark-eyed juncos and American tree sparrows, the Christmas tree cover attracts chickadees, nuthatches, northern cardinals and mourning doves. One year, we had a bobwhite use the feeder, and during other winters, ring-necked pheasants and wild turkeys visited.

If I want more cover than my one Christmas tree offers, I have gathered up and used the discarded Christmas trees of my neighbors, who have left their past glories at the curb to be picked up by the garbage man.

One year, I was late removing the Christmas tree in the spring, and an American robin built a nest in its rusty red boughs, and raised four youngsters.

—George Harrison

(I'm waiting for my neighbors to throw theirs out)

[Bobbie Ireland]

When Christmas was over, we five kids would make a great big mound of snow, and our Dad would put the tree in it and make sure it was steady. Then, with great ceremony, we would all traipse outside with all manner of food for the birds, which we put on the branches. That tree would pretty much stay there til Spring. It was all part of our many Christmas rituals... when we were finished with the tree, it belonged to the birds.

[MAK]

  I've been doing this for years and I encourage everyone to do so! I made sure to take my tree down before I left on my trip and put it out for my feathered friends! I usually get my brothers' tree as well, and yes I've taken them off the curb on occasion too!