--- title: Recycling Your Christmas Tree description: Tips for recycling your Christmas tree in an environmentally friendly and safe manner. image: https://info.wesslerengineering.com/hs-fs/file-427129805-jpg/images/boys_tree1.jpg --- Share this ArticleLike this article? Email it to a friend! Friend's Email Address Your Name Your Email Address Comments Send Email Email sent! ![facebook](https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=314229042108894&ev=PixelInitialized) [** Back to All Blog Posts](https://info.wesslerengineering.com/blog) # Recycling Your Christmas Tree ![](https://info.wesslerengineering.com/hs-fs/file-427129805-jpg/images/boys_tree1.jpg) [Facebook0](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://info.wesslerengineering.com/blog/bid/364076/Recycling-Your-Christmas-Tree&display=popup&ref=plugin&src=share_button) [Tweet0](https://twitter.com/share?url=https://info.wesslerengineering.com/blog/bid/364076/Recycling-Your-Christmas-Tree&text=MS4%20Training%20%E2%80%93%20Pollution%20Prevention%20%26%20Good%20Housekeeping%20Part%20I) [LinkedIn0](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://info.wesslerengineering.com/blog/bid/364076/Recycling-Your-Christmas-Tree) [Email0](https://info.wesslerengineering.com/blog/bid/364076/Recycling-Your-Christmas-Tree#shared-counts-email) Posted By Amy Harvell on December 23, 2013 ![Recycle Your Christmas Tree](https://info.wesslerengineering.com/hs-fs/file-427129805-jpg/images/boys_tree1.jpg?width=306&height=407&name=boys_tree1.jpg)I recently read an [article ](http://www.ibj.com/idem-buy-real-christmas-trees-to-support-farmers/PARAMS/article/44890)in the Indianapolis Business Journal where the [Indiana Department of Environmental Management](http://www.in.gov/idem/) (IDEM) is encouraging Hoosiers to buy live trees grown in Indiana to help local farmers, the economy and the environment. However, each year after the holidays, I see an abundant number of Christmas trees on the side of the road or in a ditch. “I can’t believe someone dumped their tree there” is my first thought. Then it dawned on me, some may not realize how or where to dispose of their trees. From what I have researched, you should never burn your tree in your home fireplace. Pine trees can create huge fires and send sparks across a room. So, we need to find other options for disposing of Christmas trees after the holidays. Here are three suggestions: 1. Prune the branches from the tree and scatter them in the garden. The needles will help the soil retain moisture. 2. Cut the branches and needles from the tree and use the trunk for an outdoor fire (e.g. firepit). Be sure to let the wood dry out to prevent a fire hazard. 3. Recycle the tree through the services provided from your local community. I have listed some Indiana communities who have these services; you will also want to check your local government website for details. As in our video wish to you for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, I hope our advice is "instrumental" in the decision to dispose of your Christmas tree in an environmentally friendly and safe manner.   [![Consulting Engineer Ebook](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/216551/b508a1ab-8cf7-4f96-b147-9cccc77edc55.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/216551/b508a1ab-8cf7-4f96-b147-9cccc77edc55) Tags [recycling](https://info.wesslerengineering.com/blog/topic/recycling) [Christmas tree](https://info.wesslerengineering.com/blog/topic/christmas-tree) ### Subscribe ![](https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=1929122400700835&ev=PageView&noscript=1) ![](https://dc.ads.linkedin.com/collect/?pid=29224&fmt=gif)