This was in my local paper, and I thought some of you might like these ideas. Rather than just set it to the curb, you can put it to other use for your local wildlife!

Nature lovers often place their old Christmas tree in their yard or garden for the birds and other wildlife to use. The branches provide shelter from strong winds and cold. Food can be supplied by hanging fruit slices, seed cakes, or suet bags on the branches. Peanut butter and seeds smeared into pinecones and hung on the branches is a treat that many wild bird and squirrels enjoy.

Branches pruned from the discarded Christmas tree works well as insulation for perennials. A chipped tree is good mulch for trees, shrubs, or flowerbeds.

For those who have the time and desire, old Christmas trees can serve as a food source of wildlife.

• Many wild birds appreciate fruit, especially during the winter months. String grapes past their prime for human consumption on a discarded Christmas tree, using a needle and thread. String together grapes, raisins, or cranberries.

• Apple and orange slices. Hang each apple or orange slice separately, using colorful ribbons to attract the birds.

• Purchase millet sprays and hang with ribbon.

• Old Christmas trees can also be used to build brush piles, which furnish cover for rabbits and other small animals. Place brush piles near other thick cover to encourage animals to use it.

• Take raw peanuts still in the shell and string together with needle and thread and hang on the old Christmas tree.

Dr. John XXXXXXX, who works hard with the community garden program each year in XXXXXXXXX, thinks extending the life of the Christmas tree by offering it to wildlife is an excellent idea, and has often had an evergreen on his deck for the wild birds.

“I think recycling Christmas trees by using them for wildlife is an excellent idea,” he said. “Usually I place food for the birds in small baskets or bags and hang it on the old tree outside,” he said. “This year I tried dehydrated caterpillars for bluebirds that I found in a catalogue, but the birds didn’t like it too much. The bluebirds like raisins and peanut butter and will take it to their houses. If I find some berries, I put them on the old tree also.”