Cover picture by (Spencer R. Layne/U.S. Navy)
Did you opt for a fresh Christmas tree this year vs. an artificial tree? When you’re ready to dispose of your fresh Christmas tree, Virginia offers many sustainable programs and creative ways to give your fresh tree a second life instead of sending it to the landfill.
Can you reuse your Christmas tree for firewood?
We do not recommend using your Christmas tree as firewood in your home fireplace or wood stove. Fresh evergreens are not properly seasoned and contain high levels of flammable resin. The combination of fast-burning needles and sparks from the tree pitch can create dangerous smoke and sudden flare-ups. These extremely hot fires can damage your firebox and chimney and increase the risk of a home fire.
Can you store a Christmas tree outside until spring?
While it may be tempting to keep your tree for spring composting or to provide shelter for wildlife, we do not recommend storing a dead tree near your home. A discarded tree can attract pests, weed seeds, and tree diseases that may spread to nearby plants and trees. It will also continue to dry out, and dry Christmas trees can quickly become a serious fire hazard.
If you have livestock, check with your veterinarian before you feed pine needles to your farm friends (opens in a new window). While pine needles can provide nutrient-rich fodder and natural deworming, certain varieties of trees can result in pine toxicity in large amounts.
How do you prepare your tree for recycling?
To get your Christmas tree ready for recycling, first remove all ornaments and hooks, tinsel, lights, and the tree stand. Do not bag your tree. If it is taller than 8 feet, cut it into two sections for easier handling. Artificial trees are not accepted in natural tree recycling and collection programs. Instead, search online for local donation options, check with organizations like Goodwill, or share on social media to see if someone in your community can give your artificial tree a second life.
You can even recycle your old lights. Local chain hardware stores often have e-waste recycling stations at the entrance where you can drop off old and broken lights, and there are online sources that accept old lights if you're willing to mail them.
Creative Christmas tree recycling ideas in Virginia
Did you know you can donate your leftover tree for local dune restoration and receive a coupon for a free cheese pizza? Chico's Pizza in Virginia Beach hosts an Annual Tree Drive right after Christmas. Over the years, they have collected more than 500 trees and delivered them to the Outer Banks to help battle beach erosion. The trees and their needles protect vegetation and sand from wind and water erosion, as well as wildlife shelter. The nutrients are also beneficial for the beach grass.
Christmas for the Fish by Virginia State Parks on flickr.com licensed under CC BY 2.0
You can also check with local zoos and animal rescue centers for recycling programs for animals. Claytor Lake (opens in a new window), Fairy Stone State Park (opens in a new window), and Hungry Mother State Park (opens in a new window) in collaboration with the Department of Wildlife Resources in southwest Virginia, often accept fresh Christmas trees to build underwater reef structures for game fish. Get details for disposal locations and deadlines from Virginia State Parks.
There's even a local Tennessee elephant sanctuary that takes trees for their trunked residents. You can see them enjoying the leftover trees in this video or on their live elecam (opens in a new window).
The Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center (opens in a new window) in Virginia Beach recycle trees for restoring and conserving dune habitat and the Naval Air Station Oceana (opens in a new window) is also collecting trees from now through Jan. 31st. The Virginia Living Museum in Richmond recycles natural Christmas trees for the animals in their care.
VA community recycling and collection locations
Big box hardware stores in some locations hold tree collection events. Call your local store to ask if one is scheduled. Additionally, your city waste management most likely has a composting or recycling program available. Some local recycling centers will chip your tree up and turn it into mulch. Check county government sites for recycling efforts in your area.
NOVA
- NOVEC recycling program (opens in a new window)
- Fairfax (opens in a new window)
- Falls Church
(opens in a new window) - Leesburg (opens in a new window)
- Loudoun (opens in a new window)
- Prince William County (opens in a new window)
- Alexandria (opens in a new window)
- Arlington County (opens in a new window)
- Winchester (opens in a new window)
- Front Royal (opens in a new window)
Southwest Virginia
- Blacksburg (opens in a new window)
- Roanoke (opens in a new window)
- Lynchburg (opens in a new window)
Central Virginia
- Spotsylvania (opens in a new window)
- Richmond (opens in a new window)
- Albemarle County (opens in a new window)
- Chesterfield (opens in a new window)
- Fredericksburg (opens in a new window)
- Harrisonburg (opens in a new window)
- Henrico (opens in a new window)
Coastal Virginia
- Hampton Roads (opens in a new window)
- Gloucester County (opens in a new window)
- Williamsburg (opens in a new window)
- Prince George County (opens in a new window)
- Chesapeake (opens in a new window)
- James City (opens in a new window)
- Colonial Heights (opens in a new window)
- Hanover County (opens in a new window)
- Portsmouth (opens in a new window)
- Norfolk (opens in a new window)
- Smithfield (opens in a new window)
- Virginia Beach (opens in a new window)
Do you know about a Christmas tree recycling program in Virginia we haven't mentioned? Let us know!
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