Now with Christmas over and done, it’s time to think about taking the holiday decorations down...including your tree.
If you'd like to prolong the holiday spirit and share the gift of giving with local wildlife, the Nature Conservancy of Canada has a suggestion. This year instead of dragging your Christmas tree to the curb, the not-for-profit conservation group suggests putting it in your own backyard.
Dan Kraus, NCC's senior conservation biologist, says leaving it in your backyard over the winter can provide many benefits for backyard wildlife. Your tree can provide important habitat for bird populations during the winter months.
NCC suggests you prop it up near another tree, against a fence or lay it in your garden. You can even get the family involved by redecorating it with pine cones filled with peanut butter, strings of peanuts and suet for birds to enjoy.
Krause says Evergreens offer a safe place for birds to rest while they visit your feeder, and another benefit is that if you leave the tree in your garden over the summer, it will continue to provide habitat for wildlife and improve your soil as it decomposes.