Christmas trees are a beautiful tradition. It is all the more painful that the splendor that was just shining is fading so quickly. Instead of throwing away fir or spruce trees after the holidays, you can use them for other purposes in the garden or in the kitchen.
A festively decorated Christmas tree is one of the most beautiful Christmas traditions and is part of the celebration for many people. Around 29 million Christmas trees are bought in Germany every year – but the deforested conifers leave a large ecological footprint. It is worth not simply throwing away the fir or spruce, but using the wood and needles in other areas, such as in the kitchen.
Aromatic cooking with pine needles
Pine needles give dishes with mushrooms or game a spicy aroma. Don’t just toss them in the pan when cooking. Instead, let the needles dry for a few days and finely grind them in a mortar.
Since they contain essential oils and many important vital substances, they are also ideal for a tea infusion. You can either put the needles together with the branch in hot water or detach them beforehand and squeeze them a little so that the ingredients dissolve better in the water.
Frost protection in the garden
Trunk and branches are especially useful in the garden. With the help of a shredder, they can be processed into mulch, which can serve as frost protection for the soil and plants. If you do not have the appropriate equipment, you can cut thin branches with garden shears, an ax helps with the large trunk. The pine needles also do well in the vegetable patch as they keep snails away.
firewood for the fireplace
Anyone who owns a stove can use their Christmas tree as firewood. Important: Once the wood has been sawn into pieces suitable for the oven, it must be stored in a dry place for some time. Otherwise, the moisture will cause a lot of smoke and a sooty oven.
A joy for the animals
If you no longer want to do anything with your Christmas tree, you can hand it in to animal parks, horse farms or the local forester instead. Especially for wild animals such as deer, the fir branches are a tasty treat and at the same time a welcome change from conventional food.
