Thebestof Barnstaple are advocates of recycling where we can and would like to offer you some ideas on how to recycle your real Christmas trees (if you had one).

Of the six million trees that brighten up homes and offices across Britain each Christmas, figures show that only 10% are recycled for composting and wood chipping.  The rest goes into landfill, a wasted opportunity to create biomass that could provide nutrients for depleted soil. 

To stop yours ending up on already overflowing landfill sites you could:

Make mulch

Cut off the boughs and place them on the ground like a blanket to protect plants that are susceptible to windburn, plants that are marginally hardy in your area, and plants that might come up early and be nipped by a late spring frost, such as fall-planted pansies or early emerging perennials.

Give it to the birds

Move the tree in its stand outdoors for the winter, where it can provide food and shelter for wild birds.  Even better, put the tree near a bird feeder or hang bird treats from the tree.  Or use a small piece of wood or thick cardboard smeared with a mix of birdseed and peanut butter—and it will not only attract birds but feed them, too.

Give it to the fish

Sink your tree in a pond (with permission, of course).  In deep water, old trees become habitats for fish and aquatic insects.  In shallow wetlands, trees can act as barriers to sand and soil erosion.  The Croyde Beach Ranger has another way you can recycle your Christmas trees, once the festivities are over.  Trees between 4-6 feet tall will be planted into a brash hedge in the sand dunes.  COLLECTION POINTS are: Ruda beach car park, Georgeham Primary school, Caen CP School, St Johns Garden Centre Barnstaple, Tesco Braunton, Southmead School, Kingsacre CP School.

Make It Into Chippings

Residents within Torridge council boundaries with green wheelie bins can cut up their Christmas Trees and recycle them through the fortnightly collection process.  Please ensure that there are no branches over 1 metre in length or 4cm in diameter.  You can also take your Christmas trees to the Recycling Centres at Bideford, Deep Moor (Torrington) or Anvil Corner (Holsworthy).

Whatever you do, please recycle your tree and start 2015 with a 'green' footing!!!