Christmas tree disposal options available

Now that Christmas is past and everyone has recuperated just a bit from the hectic time leading up to the to the big day, it's time to start to clean up the often gigantic mess that such revelry can create. One of those cleaning chores is disposing of the family's Christmas tree.

Those concerned with the tree shedding needles on the carpet can purchase a plastic tree bag at the hardware store. Put it around the trunk near the base of the tree when you put it up and just cover it with a tree skirt. When it's time to remove the tree, remove all of the ornaments, tinsel, garland and other accoutrements and slide the bag up over the tree and take it out of the home before it has had a chance to shed its needles. Too late for this year? There's always next year!

Getting rid of a tree doesn't have to mean discarding the whole tree. There are a number of uses that one can put a tree to once it is no longer a Christmas tree. Most of the conifer species -- pines, firs, spruces and cedars are very aromatic and one way to get a bit of use from the tree, or at least part of it, is to crush the needles, place them in a small dish or bag and use them as a sort of potpourri that will keep the house smelling like the season just a little longer.

The smaller limbs can be cut off with pruning shears and used as kindling. For a quick way to start a wood stove or fireplace, take an 8-10 inch limb and starting at the end of it as though trying to just shave off pieces, make a 1or 2 inch cut, but don't cut the shaving off. Rotate the limb and make another cut. Keep rotating the stick and cutting, working down the limb a little at a time to within a couple of inches of the end. When finished, the limb looks a bit like a small fuzzy Christmas tree. It makes a great firestarter because the oils in the thin slices will catch quickly and create enough heat to ignite the rest of the kindling. Keep these efficient, aromatic fuzz sticks in a basket near the fireplace.

The rest of the tree also has several good uses. Get the children involved, by having them string some popcorn and/or cranberries or raisins.

Take the tree out into the back yard, preferably near a window, and place the strung foods on the tree for the birds. Leave the tree in the stand or bury the base in the ground.

The children also could smear peanut butter or beef suet on the trunk or limbs. This way your tree serves as a bit of shelter and provides a food source for many birds. Or, tie individual things like slices of stale bread from the tree like ornaments for wildlife to use.

If there is a woodlot behind the home, the homeowner can pile up more than one tree as a brushpile for animals like rabbits.

Be sure to place the tree or trees on something solid like a log or stone so there is room for animals to get underneath the cover. Used trees can also be bundled together and sunk into ponds as fish habitat. The best way to do this is to wait until the pond has frozen several inches thick and then take the trees out onto the ice with a cinder block or similar weight attached to pull them to the bottom when the ice thaws.

For those who simply want to dispose of the tree immediately, the city of Nevada will accept them at the compost center where they will be chipped and used as mulch. Area trees also can be taken to Wal-Mart, the day after Christmas and for the following two weeks, where they will be picked up by the Missouri Department of Conservation and used as wildlife habitat at local conservation areas. In either case make sure the tree is free of all decorations and foreign matter.

The city of Fort Scott Public Works Department will be picking up discarded Christmas trees free of charge for city residents again this year.

The pickup dates will be on Fridays and occur on Dec. 31, Jan. 7, and Jan. 14. The Public Works Department asks that you place the trees at the curbside off the street and call the Public Works Department at (620) 223-4360 with your address and name to schedule the pickup.

The discarded trees will be used to enhance fish and wildlife habitat in the city owned water structure properties, according to a press release from the city of Fort Scott.