This 3-foot tabletop Christmas tree serves a second purpose as a bird feeder adorned with small blocks of suet and topped with a seed bell.Submitted photo

The holidays are behind us, and we are turning our thoughts to a new year.

Away go the holiday decorations, including Christmas tree ornaments and garland bows. Into the trash go the holiday greens and Christmas trees.

But instead of trashing the tree and greens, why not put them to use in the garden?

Christmas trees and greens have multiple uses and benefits in the garden. Use dried pine needles from trees and garlands for mulch. Because pine needles decompose slowly, they become a moisture- and mold-free mulch for groundcover crops, such as strawberries.

Decorate smaller Christmas trees with “ornaments” for birds. Keep your Christmas tree in its stand or prop it to keep it upright. Add small bird seed balls, suet or feed socks to attract birds. Pinecones laced with peanut butter and seed make healthy protein snacks for birds and small wildlife. Place the tree where you can marvel at the birds and wildlife.Tree branches, greens and garlands can be clipped and laid on top of tender perennials to protect them from snow and ice. Assure that all wires are removed to prevent injury to birds and wildlife.Branches placed around bird feeders offer protection for ground-feeding birds. Place branches into ponds to provide shelter for fish (assure that the tree is chemical-free.) Drier branches can be used for kindling in outdoor fire pits. Also, tree trunks can be cut width-wise into discs. These discs can be used as risers for colorful containers that hold summer flowers.Tree trunks and branches can also be run through a wood chipper. Use the chipper machine where you would be piling the wood chips for the winter. In the spring, spread the chips around shrubs to serve as a mulch to prevent weeds and add nutrients to the soil.Even if you do not want to use your Christmas tree and garlands in your own garden, your tree may still bring benefits to other gardeners. Many communities have a special pick up or a designated drop-off site for Christmas trees. They may hold a community bonfire or grind the trees into mulch that can be used by community members for their spring gardens.Continue the holiday merriment from your home into your garden by reusing and recycling your Christmas tree and holiday greens.To learn more about recycling Christmas trees and holiday greens, visit www.extension.psu.edu; call the Master Gardener Garden Hotline at 724-287-4761, Ext. 7; or email the Master Gardeners at butlermg@psu.edu.Lisa Marie Bernardo, Ph.D., RN, is a Penn State Master Gardener of Butler County.

Dr. Lisa Marie Bernardo has been a Penn State Master Gardener in Butler County since 2003. Her gardening passions include native plant garden design and she is a Sustainable Landscape Designer, certified through Phipps Conservatory. Bernardo is interested in the effects of physical activity for cancer survivors and enjoys teaching about the physical benefits of gardening.Submitted photo