Christmas trees are objects of beauty and cheer—until Dec. 26, that is, when they can become a chore for families wondering what to do with them now that Christmas is over.
The St. Louis County Department of Health has a few environmentally friendly ideas for what to do with your tree:
If you live on or near a few acres of open land, use your live tree to create a wildlife habitat. Place the tree in a field as cover for small animals or submerge the tree in a pond or lake for a fish habitat. Do not dump the tree in a ravine or along an eroding bank.
If you’re feeling crafty, use the branches to decorate or make wreaths for your home, keeping the holiday spirit alive even after Christmas.
When you are ready to dispose of your tree but you don’t have yard waste collection at your house, take it to a commercial composting facility, where it will be recycled. The health department recommends three companies in the county:
ORMI Fort Bellefontaine Compost
13060 County Park Road
Florissant, MO 63034
314-355-0052
Mon.-Fri., 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
$1 per tree
Route 66 Landscape Supply Center
18900 Franklin Road
Pacific, MO 63069
636-271-3352
Mon.-Fri., 7 a.m.-5 a.m.
$1 per tree
St. Louis Composting
-39 Old Elam Ave
Valley Park, MO 63088
Mon.-Fri., 7 a.m.-5 a.m.
-2510 Adie Road
Maryland Heights, MO 63043
Mon.-Fri., 6 a.m.-4 p.m.
636-861-3344
$1 per tree
