Annelie Neumann

January 3, 2023, 9:53 am | Read time: 7 minutes

You don’t have to throw away your Christmas tree when the holidays are over; you can reuse the trunk, branches, and even the needles. How about making a delicious tea from the old Christmas tree? Especially trees from ecological forestry or Christmas tree farms with the appropriate seal are far too valuable to simply discard. myHOMEBOOK presents eight upcycling ideas.

1. Fir as DIY Material

The wood from Nordmann fir, pine, and spruce is significantly softer than, for example, oak or beech wood. Therefore, it is the perfect carving material for all DIY enthusiasts. The relatively soft wood makes it easier for beginners to carve their first pieces with little effort and skill. A relatively simple DIY project is carving a whisk from the fir tree top. This upcycling idea is also simple and quick to implement for DIY projects with children.

From Fir Tree Top to Whisk – Here’s How

1. First, saw off the fir tree top with the first ring of branches.
2. Then, shorten the sawn-off piece of wood to the desired length.
3. Remove needles and bark.
4. Next, sand the whisk and oil it with vegetable oil.
5. If needed: Drill a hole at the end of the handle for hanging. Also optional: color the handle of the whisk.

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Looking for More Inspiration?

• The Christmas tree trunk can also be carved into a coat rack for the hallway. The axes of the branches become coat hooks with little effort.
• The branches can also be used to make perches for bird cages or other climbing-friendly pets.
• Thicker sawn-off branches can be turned into wooden buttons.

Related: Sawing Correctly – With These 7 Tips, It Works

2. Fir Needles as Bath Additive

Admittedly, fir needles scattered on the floor are not a pleasant sight. However, the prickly parts of pine, spruce, and fir have a lot to offer. Thanks to their essential oils, they are a wonderful addition to relaxation and cold baths. Such a bath can relieve cold symptoms and provide relaxation.

From Fir Needle to Bath Additive – Here’s How

• Boil 100 grams of needles for ten minutes.
• Pour the brew through a sieve directly into the bathwater.

Also interesting: Garden Tasks for January

3. Upcycling Idea: Fir Tea

Fir and spruce needles can not only be used as a bath additive but also as tea. The essential oils and high vitamin C content of the needles effectively combat cold symptoms. Such a tea is also said to wonderfully dispel spring fatigue.

From Fir Needle to Tea – Here’s How

• For a cup of fir needle tea, first chop about one teaspoon of fir needles.
• Then place the chopped needles directly into a cup, a tea strainer, or a tea filter.
• Pour hot water over them.
• Let the tea steep for ten minutes.

4. Fir Needles as Snail Deterrent

Fir needles are considered a tried-and-true home remedy in the fight against snails. Without much effort or chemical agents, fir needles keep the voracious creatures away from plants. Simply collect the needles from the Christmas tree, store them in a dry place, and then spread them around shrubs and plants in the spring as needed. Like a protective circle, the Christmas tree needles keep snails at bay.

5. The Christmas Tree as Compost Accelerator

Another upcycling idea for the Christmas tree: use it as a compost accelerator! If you have the opportunity, you can dispose of the old Christmas tree on your own compost. Since mainly moist kitchen waste ends up on the compost during the winter months, the branches of the Christmas tree can positively affect composting. The branches and needles of the discarded Christmas tree give the compost mass more structure, which improves aeration. The moist kitchen scraps also aid in the tree’s decomposition.

6. Upcycle the Christmas Tree as Frost Protection

From the living room to the garden: Garden owners can also use their discarded Christmas tree as frost protection. Simply saw off the branches and spread them flat in several layers on the beds. This way, particularly sensitive plants and early-blooming bulbs are optimally protected from frost and icy winds.

Also interesting: The Right Setup for a Dark Room

7. From Christmas Tree to Mulch Material

The Christmas tree can alternatively be processed into mulch. To do this, shred the entire tree into pieces about four centimeters in size. A shredder rented from a hardware store makes the work easier. Then spread the mulch extensively on the beds. Such mulch not only protects the beds from frost but also enriches the soil with necessary nutrients and reduces evaporation. A practical side effect: Weeds have a hard time in a mulched bed, much to the delight of every gardener.

More on the topic

Varieties, Care, Decoration What You Should Definitely Look out for When Buying a Christmas tree

Christmas Time 7 Tips to Keep Your Advent Wreath Fresh for Longer

8. The Christmas Tree as Fuel

The next upcycling idea is probably the most well-known: burning the Christmas tree. As fuel, the discarded Christmas tree proves to be a useful item after the holidays. As a community event, often organized by volunteer fire departments and scouts, discarded Christmas trees blaze in many places at the beginning of the new year. Some Christmas trees even end up in the fire at Easter.

For home use, it is advisable to let the wood of the Christmas tree dry thoroughly. A simple rule of thumb: the residual moisture should be below 20 percent. This way, unwanted, heavy soot formation is avoided. Experts recommend storing the sawn parts of the Christmas tree in a dry place for two to three years before burning.

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Don’t want to upcycle the Christmas tree but dispose of it? Then use the service of the municipal waste and disposal companies. They usually offer to pick up the Christmas tree shortly after the new year. The dates can be found in the waste calendar or on the respective websites. Christmas trees should never be disposed of in the forest! Disposing of the tree in the forest is considered an administrative offense. As illegal disposal of garden waste or trash, fines ranging from five to 300 euros are imposed according to the fine catalog, depending on the federal state.

Can You Actually Throw the Christmas Tree Out the Window?

Especially if you live on an upper floor, it seems like a practical option to simply throw the Christmas tree out the window—as seen in a commercial from a Swedish furniture store. On the one hand, it saves you the trouble of carrying it, and on the other, you don’t scatter fir needles in the apartment and stairwell. However, it’s not a good idea to dispose of the Christmas tree this way—in the worst case, severe penalties may apply.

If the Christmas tree lands on a car—or worse, on a pedestrian—the thrower is liable for the damage. If a pedestrian is injured, the offense of negligent bodily harm applies. And if you were aware of the danger but still carelessly threw the tree out the window, intentional dangerous bodily harm is at stake. In extreme cases, this can result in a prison sentence of up to ten years.