The dilemma: I love having a decorated Christmas tree in the house, but I hate to toss the tree in the landfill when the holiday is over. The solution: Recycle it. Pass it down the food chain by making a tree for your friendly, neighborhood birds. Make sure the tree is completely free of ornaments, lights, and especially tinsel. Then take it out to your yard, a school playground, or a park. Stand the tree up in a pail filled with stones, or sand, (or water for an ice-base if weather permits); or bring your indoor tree-stand outside.
Trimming a tree for the birds The trimmings on this tree are limited only by your holiday leftovers and your imagination. These are the favorites of the birds in my back yard:
pine cones spread with peanut butter and rolled in bird seed (use only natural cones – no paint or glitter) orange halves, hollowed-out and filled with crumbs and seeds popcorn and berries on a string donut on a string (sandwiched between 2 plastic lids for stability) stale bread cut into shapes scraps of ribbon and yarn for nesting materials
HINT: For a slightly more manageable project: Do the same thing with your wreath.
