Before you put your Christmas tree on the curb to be picked up and tossed aside, make sure you know what you could be missing out on. The typical holiday pine tree can become a great asset to your garden, health or cooking needs. Pine trees can be used for medicinal purposes, cooking, gardens and many other things. Check out this list of pine tree uses below and see what you can do with your old Christmas tree. But one thing’s for sure - don’t just throw it away!
Medicinal
Before you toss your tree away, make sure that you extract as much sap as you can. Pine sap is a great medicinal tool that has antibacterial properties. You can use pine sap to seal wounds.
Chipper for Mulch
Many people will tell you to use your tree as mulch for the garden but you need to be careful with this. If you’re going to use your pine tree as mulch, you may need to clear off the pine needles. Since pine needles are slightly acidic, they work best with plants that need acidic soil - like blueberries, rhododendrons, gardenias and periwinkles.
Garden Cover
If you’re growing winter plants in your garden, you may need a covering to protect them from huge snow drifts or other extreme weather incidents. An old pine tree is a great way to do that. Not only does it protect your plants, but it will also decompose and add nutrients to your soil.
Firewood and Fire Starters
Allowing the wood to dry out turns into a great source of firewood for your stove or fireplace. You can also use the sap from pine trees as a firestarter. Branches of pine trees also make great torches if wrapped correctly.
Pine Needle Tea
Some people have even made tea with pine needles. The tea is great for fighting bacterial infections. It’s recommended that you add about 10 pine needles for every cup of tea. Start by bringing 1 ½ cups of water to a boil. Break apart the pine needles and add to the water. Turn off the heat and allow it to steep for 5-10 minutes. After 5 minutes, stir in honey to sweeten. You can strain out the needles if you would like. Do not add excessive amounts of pine needles however, in that it can be hazardous to your health.
Thickener
Grind up the wood and pine cones and use them as a natural thickener like flour and corn starches. The inner bark of the pine tree is actually very nutritious and full of Vitamin C. A helpful tool that you can use in an emergency survival situation.
What do you do with your old Christmas tree?
Comment below to tell us what you do with your old pine trees and how others can use them for different purposes. Share the knowledge!
Chipper for Mulch
Many people will tell you to use your tree as mulch for the garden but you need to be careful with this. If you’re going to use your pine tree as mulch, you may need to clear off the pine needles. Since pine needles are slightly acidic, they work best with plants that need acidic soil - like blueberries, rhododendrons, gardenias and periwinkles.
Garden Cover
If you’re growing winter plants in your garden, you may need a covering to protect them from huge snow drifts or other extreme weather incidents. An old pine tree is a great way to do that. Not only does it protect your plants, but it will also decompose and add nutrients to your soil.
Firewood and Fire Starters
Allowing the wood to dry out turns into a great source of firewood for your stove or fireplace. You can also use the sap from pine trees as a firestarter. Branches of pine trees also make great torches if wrapped correctly.
Pine Needle Tea
Some people have even made tea with pine needles. The tea is great for fighting bacterial infections. It’s recommended that you add about 10 pine needles for every cup of tea. Start by bringing 1 ½ cups of water to a boil. Break apart the pine needles and add to the water. Turn off the heat and allow it to steep for 5-10 minutes. After 5 minutes, stir in honey to sweeten. You can strain out the needles if you would like. Do not add excessive amounts of pine needles however, in that it can be hazardous to your health.
Thickener
Grind up the wood and pine cones and use them as a natural thickener like flour and corn starches. The inner bark of the pine tree is actually very nutritious and full of Vitamin C. A helpful tool that you can use in an emergency survival situation.
What do you do with your old Christmas tree?
Comment below to tell us what you do with your old pine trees and how others can use them for different purposes. Share the knowledge!