Talkback: What to do with your old Christmas tree

Posts

• Gardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147

  January 2011

  We were given a blow-up Christmas tree by a friend who didn't have enough puff to blow it up any more. So we think this is very green, even though it is a bit phallic looking. (Can we say "phallic" on the BBC?)
  
  In the past we used to let our Christmas trees dry out, and them we'd eventually burn them in the fireplace. The branches are useful also for protecting tender plants from late frosts.

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• Gardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147

  January 2011

  How about this? it was done on sandymount strand in dublin a few years ago by artist Barbara Nealon, caused much interest and excitement!
  
  http://bit.ly/hNNpsb

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• Gardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147

  January 2011

  I abandoned a planted (pot)Christmas tree behind a large shrub 3 years ago and every year it has been home to a wrens nest.I could not chop it up now until they stop finding it useful.All I do is clear out the old nest in the autumn.

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• Gardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147

  January 2011

  Milo - Looks like you got away with 'phallic'. I'd prefer a fake tree to be honest but I lose the battle every year. My uncle's a wine merchant though so I've got a really lovely wine box to use to make the bee hotel
  
  emcs - That looks very beautiful but also quite eery.
  
  Moss - How lovely. Is it not a bit exposed though, or have plants grown through the branches?
  
  I've heard of Christmas trees being used to prevent soil erosion and also used to make dead hedges. Does anyone else have any nifty ideas for reusing dead trees?
  
  Kate

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• Gardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147

  January 2011

  I have a potted christmas tree, there are great

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• Gardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147

  January 2011

  reminds me of wonderful inset "hotel" at hornians http://flic.kr/p/6F2pBd
  trouble with fake trees is they are often plastic. Can do without more plastic. seen some nice drift wood ones.
  
  in my shared house we have a very aged very bare twiggy real tree in a pot...it works. has done for quite some years. We usually cut up family tree and yes sometimes use twiggy bits in garden...to keep jacadaws and pheasant off plants. dead hedges sound good.

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• Gardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147

  January 2011

  In the past we've cut the branches off the tree and left them for a few years to rot down in a bucket of water - the compost is slightly acidic as a result and so got used as a top dressing for our blueberry bushes. The trunk was used as a pole for beans to scramble up.

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• Gardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147

  January 2011

  Just been given a little potted one this year which stands about 8 inch high!! is it not possible to pot it on year after year, bring it indoors in the festive season n use it year on year?????

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• Gardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147

  January 2011

  I've been given a little potted one this year which stands about 8 inch high!! is it not possible to pot it on year after year n bring it indoors for the festive season??? I'm a novice!!!! obviously!!!

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• Gardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147

  January 2011

  We have a potted tree (approx 18 inches tall) and it's sprouting new growth. We live in a second floor flat and while we don't have a balcony there is a communal garden area.
  
  Would it be possible to do some bonsai magic and keep the tree small so it can stay in the flat?

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