Don't Just Ditch the Tree

The relatives are gone, the kids are back in school, and the Christmas tree has shed its last needle. Yes, it's the end of the holiday season and time to say good-bye to your once live and beautiful tree. But don't just throw it on the trash heap (or into your neighbor's yard at 3 am).

Instead, turn the tree into useful garden mulch by cutting it into small pieces with a chain saw or a mulcher and letting them decompose till spring. It's a good idea to use this mulch around plants that thrive in slightly acidic soil, such as rhododendrons and azaleas. This way, even in death, your tree can help add beauty to your home.