Giving Your Christmas Tree Another Life

Giving your Christmas Tree Another Life By Chris Browoski-Strategic Watershed Action Team Crew Leader

Do you ever wonder what happens to your Christmas Tree after the holidays? That tree that you hand-picked out, maybe even cut down yourself. The tree that greeted you with the smell of fresh pine as you walked into your house. The tree that was part of your family memories that holiday season?

Mike and Patrica from TUC Collecting Trees in Markdale, Ontario.

Well, instead of throwing that tree out, there is another option. You can give that tree another life and carry on its story by donating your tree to be used in ecosystem restoration.

This year on January 8th, 2022, some people did just that. TUC worked with the Wellington Children’s Foundation Trees for Tots campaign and the Municipality of Grey Highlands to collect live-cut Christmas trees to be used in stream restoration across southern Ontario. It was a cold day for staff and volunteers, with the temperature hovering around -13°C, but this didn’t deter those stewards of the land. In Guelph and Wellington County, Trees for Tots volunteers collected hundreds of trees from registered participants. Throughout the day, TUC received a number of these trees and stored them for restoration work this coming 2022 field season. At the same time, TUC staff and volunteers received trees in Markdale, ON, from locals wanting to support restoration activities and recycle their trees.

Chris from TUC storing Christmas trees for future restoration projects.

All together, TUC received 125 varying-sized Christmas Trees on January 8th. These trees will be used to stabilize eroding stream banks, provide habitat for fish communities, and help remove excess sediment from our coldwater streams across Ontario.

If you are interested in giving your Christmas tree another life in 2023, follow us on social media or sign up for our mailing list.

A thank you goes out to; The Children’s Foundation of Guelph and Wellington The Municipality of Grey Highlands Those donating their trees & all the volunteers who helped.