Here's how to recycle Christmas Trees in Indy
It’s nearly time to undeck the halls and de-tinsel the lovely branches of the ol’ Tannenbaum. People celebrating Christmas with a live tree may decide to drag it to the curb once the festivities stop, but there are a few ways to recycle them.
Throughout Indianapolis and the state, landscaping services and recycling centers will accept the trees to turn into mulch or compost. A quick way to find a location close to home is heading to earth911.com online and entering your zip code.
The website will offer an extensive list of nearby locations that accept those trees.
These services will either come pick up the trees or offer drop-off hours if residents are willing to haul the tree themselves.
There are multiple locations for Marion County residents to take their old trees from Dec. 25 to Jan. 31:
Broad Ripple Park, 1610 Broad Ripple Ave., east side of the parking lot
Ellenberger Park, 5301 E. St. Clair St., northeast corner by the pool
Garfield Park, 2345 Pagoda Drive, in front of the MacAllister Amphitheater
Krannert Park, 605 S. High School Road, north parking lot
Northwestway Park, 5253 W. 62nd St., to the left of the entrance
Perry Park, 451 E. Stop 11 Road, to the left of the Stop 11 main entrance
Riverside Park, 2420 N. Riverside Drive, by the basketball court
Sahm Park, 6801 E. 91st St., near the recycling bins
Mulching and composting is one of the more common ways to recycle that old tree, according to the Arbor Day Foundation, and even the pine needles are full of nutrients to help enhance the compost.
The needles can also be used as a sort of potpourri to keep rooms smelling fresh all year long. The needles retain fragrance for quite some time, so filling up a small sachet or bag and leaving them out will give the room that nice pine smell.
Christmas trees can also be used as firewood for the colder months, but because the trees are sap heavy arborists recommend only burning them outdoors. The sap can cause creosote build-up in chimneys causing a hazard.
It’s best to age the wood at least a few months to help the sap dry out before burning.
There are some more creative ways to recycle those Christmas trees as well.
It doesn’t take the skill of an experienced woodworker to make coasters from the trunk of the Christmas tree.
First, make sure the sap is completely dry and with a saw cut discs from the truck to whatever thickness works. Make sure to use a varnish or sealant afterward so the coasters keep for years to come.
It’s also possible to provide habitat and feeding grounds for fish if the Christmas trees are submerged in a private pond. Algae will begin to grow on the submerged tree, which the fish will feed on and the branches and trunk can act as a barrier for fish, protecting them from predators.
Similar to helping fish, old Christmas trees can be stood upright outside and have bird feeders hung on them. Birds will create a little sanctuary for themselves, and the feeders will offer an easy food source. Within a year or so, the tree will become brittle and can be mostly broken apart by hand.
Karl Schneider is an IndyStar environment reporter. You can reach him at karl.schneider@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter @karlstartswithk
IndyStar's environmental reporting project is made possible through the generous support of the nonprofit Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Here's how to recycle Christmas Trees in Indy
