Disposing of Your Christmas Tree: When, How & Where?
The Christmas tree – the radiant centrepiece of the festive season, adorned with glittering baubles and magical charm. But after New Year’s Eve, it transforms into a green-brown burden, with needles that feel like tiny spears underfoot. You might even be tempted by the method from that famous advert by a Swedish furniture giant: window open, tree out, problem solved! But before your tree takes a flying leap into the garden, let us show you a more elegant – and legal – way to dispose of it.
In this blog post, you’ll learn how to responsibly dispose of your Christmas tree or even give it a second life.
Discover when, how, and where to best dispose of your Christmas tree in our blog post.
When Should I Dispose of My Christmas Tree?
Everyone has their own ritual for saying goodbye to the Christmas tree. Some pack away the lights and baubles on 6th January, Epiphany, while others let the tree stand until 2nd February, Candlemas. And then there are those who bid farewell to their tree right after New Year’s Eve. When exactly your tree takes its final bow is entirely up to you. However, acting sooner rather than later is advisable, especially as it begins shedding needles. Even if your tree is properly set up, such as in a stand with a water reservoir, it will eventually dry out and shed needles. This is particularly problematic if you use real candles on the tree. Dry wood and fallen needles are far more flammable than a fresh tree. To minimise risks, consider replacing real candles with LED lights that mimic the warm glow of candles.
Fallen needles before Christmas can easily be cleaned with a vacuum cleaner or broom. For this, the Einhell Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner TE-SV 18 Li or the Einhell Cordless Sweeper TE-FS 18 Li are ideal. Both belong to the Power X-Change family, allowing you to use your Einhell battery as usual. Even after the tree is gone, these devices are handy for tidying up any remaining debris.
INFO
Cut Down Your Own Christmas Tree
If you want to handpick and fell your own Christmas tree, cutting it yourself is a fantastic option.
How Do I Dispose of My Christmas Tree?
When you put up your very first real Christmas tree at home, the question inevitably arises: what to do with it when the festive season is over? A practical option is to dispose of your tree with organic waste. Do you have a garden? If so, you can repurpose the tree in clever ways – for instance, as mulch or frost protection for your plants. Even wildlife parks and stables often welcome certain Christmas trees as feed donations.
In our blog, we’ll show you the various ways to responsibly and creatively part with your tree.
Disposal in the Organic Waste Bin
The simplest and most straightforward method is to dispose of the tree as organic waste. However, to fit into the bin, the tree will need to be cut into smaller pieces. For this task, the Einhell Cordless Pruning Chainsaw GE-PS 18/15 Li BL is ideal, as it is perfect for cutting branches and small trunks up to 12.5 cm in diameter. For smaller branches, the Einhell Cordless Pruning Saw GE-GS 18/150 Li is a great choice, easily handling branches up to 10 cm thick. Once the tree has been disassembled, you can place the pieces in the organic waste bin, ready for collection by the refuse service.
⚠️ Important Notice
Disposing of your Christmas tree in a nearby forest is strictly prohibited and may result in fines. Avoid using the forest as a dumping ground when getting rid of your tree.
Convenient Collection by Waste Disposal Services
Some towns or municipalities offer a collection service for Christmas trees. This is particularly helpful if the tree is still too large for the organic waste bin, even after cutting it down. Check directly with your local council or city, or consult the waste collection calendar to see if and when your tree can be picked up. Make sure you’ve completely removed all Christmas decorations beforehand. Trees are typically composted, sent to a recycling centre, or used for energy recovery through incineration. If no collection service is available, you can easily take the tree yourself to a recycling centre or a designated collection point.
Sustainable Recycling in Your Garden
Would you prefer to repurpose your Christmas tree yourself? Using a garden shredder, such as the Einhell Cordless Blade Shredder REDAXXO 36/25, you can chop the branches into small pieces to create bark mulch for your garden. This mulch protects delicate plants from drying out and is an eco-friendly solution.
Process the tree with the shredder into manageable wood chips and store them in a dry place for a few months. Later, you can use the chips in small quantities for composting or as a protective layer for your plants.
Even the branches of your tree can be cleverly reused as winter frost protection for sensitive plants. Cut larger branches and lay them over roots or plants to shield them from the cold. To ensure the tree doesn’t dry out completely, place it outdoors in a sheltered spot for a short time before processing.
TIP
You can also repurpose individual branches as sustainable decorations for your home, giving your Christmas tree a second life while creating a cosy, natural atmosphere.
Burning Your Christmas Tree
The idea of burning your old, undecorated Christmas tree in a fireplace or stove might sound appealing, but caution is advised:
- Resin Content: Trees like firs and spruces are high in resin. Burning them can lead to excessive sparking and soot. Therefore, Christmas tree wood should only be burned in closed stoves. Note that the resin can cause stubborn stains on the stove glass. Check out our blog post "How to Clean a Wood-Burning Stove: Tips and Tools for a Sparkling Stove" to learn how to tackle these effectively.
- Moisture Level: Freshly cut Christmas trees contain high levels of moisture. Wet wood burns inefficiently, produces more smoke and pollutants, and can lead to chimney deposits.
We recommend chopping your tree into smaller pieces and storing it in a dry, well-ventilated place for at least 12 months. By the next festive season, you can use the dried wood to create a cosy atmosphere in your stove or fireplace.
The Christmas Tree as a Treat for Animals
Wildlife parks or riding stables often appreciate a small food donation in the form of your old Christmas tree. Before delivering your tree, be sure to check whether there’s a need and which tree species are suitable. Horses, goats, deer, and even zebras enjoy nibbling on native spruces and firs. However, Nordmann firs are unsuitable and should not be used as feed.
If you’d like to donate your tree, keep the following points in mind:
- Organic Christmas Tree: Choose a tree from organic farming to ensure it’s free from chemical residues.
- Remove Decorations: After the holidays, make sure to remove all decorations, including even the smallest remnants of baubles, lights, or hooks.
- Avoid Tinsel and Spray: Don’t use tinsel, glitter, or artificial spray decorations, as these residues can be harmful to animals.
By following these precautions, you not only contribute to sustainability but also bring joy to the animals. A true treat for the four-legged friends – and your tree finds a meaningful second life!
If the tree is as natural as possible, it can safely be used as feed for animals.
Conclusion: Sustainability Starts with the Christmas Tree
Disposing of your Christmas tree offers many options beyond simply throwing it away or burning it. Whether as mulch in the garden, frost protection for plants, or a food donation for animals, with a bit of planning, you can give your tree a second life. If you prefer not to repurpose the tree at home, the organic waste bin or a municipal collection service are practical and eco-friendly alternatives.
Remember to remove all decorations, including tinsel and spray paint, to ensure safe and sustainable disposal or reuse.
One final tip: consider choosing an organic Christmas tree next year or opting for a potted tree that you can replant after the holidays. This way, you make the festive season even greener – and ensure your next Christmas tree is a true symbol of sustainability.
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Published on 08.01.2025
Lisa Hegewald, as an online editor at Einhell, deals with almost all texts related to tools, gardening equipment, and accessories. Through collaboration with Einhell product managers and practical product training, she consistently expands her knowledge. Her must-have product is the cordless coffee machine because nothing works without caffeine, whether on the construction site or in the office.