There’s nothing like the smell of a real tree during the holidays, and for a lot of us, it’s not Christmas without one. In fact, in the US, around 22 million trees are purchased every year (“Christmas Tree Purchases By The Numbers”). But what do you do with your tree once the holidays are over? Good news, there are many great ways to recycle your Christmas tree in Tennessee.
Here are five simple, sustainable options that give your tree a second life:
1. Replant Your Tree
One of the newest trends is buying a Christmas tree with roots attached. Several Christmas tree farms in Tennessee, as well as many big box stores, offer this option, allowing you to plant it after Christmas and watch it grow for many years to come. (“The 9 Best Christmas Tree Farms in Tennessee!“)
Why it’s great:
- You enjoy the beauty of a real tree
- It becomes part of your landscape after the season
- It reduces landfill waste and helps future wildlife
2. Have It Picked Up
Many Tennessee communities offer curbside Christmas tree collection during the first two weeks of January. Your tree is taken to a municipal facility, where it’s mulched or composted rather than sent to a landfill.
Before placing your tree at the curb:
- Remove all lights, hooks, wire, tinsel, ornaments, and décor
- Remove plastic stands, nails, or anything non-organic
- Check whether your city accepts flocked (snow-sprayed) trees
- Cut trees over 7 ft tall in half, if required
Check here or with your local resources to find out more. (Tennessee: Where and How to Recycle Your Christmas Tree After the Holidays, January 2025)
3. Donate Your Tree
If curbside pickup isn’t offered in your area, you can drop off your tree at:
- Municipal mulching facilities
- local recycling center
- Tree-cycling events
- Select Tennessee zoos and wildlife rehabilitation centers (Note: If you’re unsure about dropping it off, call ahead and ask if they can use it.)
4. Create a Wildlife Shelter
Your old Christmas tree can become a wildlife refuge right in your yard. Try one of these eco-friendly uses:
- Stand the tree upright as a winter bird shelter
- Add pinecones with peanut butter or seed for homemade feeders
- Lay the tree in a corner of your yard as a habitat for small mammals
- Sink trimmed branches in a backyard pond as shelter for fish
Because evergreens break down naturally and quickly, they’re a great option for at-home recycling.
5. Get Crafty
If you’re feeling creative, your tree can live on long after the holidays:
- Slice trunk pieces into coasters, ornaments, or gift tags
- Use branches in a potpourri mixed with dried oranges and cinnamon
- Chip the tree for garden mulch
- Use smaller limbs in winter wreaths or dried arrangements
These handcrafted pieces make great gifts—and keep your tree out of the waste stream.
What to Avoid
Avoid these common disposal mistakes:
🚫 Do NOT burn your tree in the fireplace.
Evergreens contain sap and oils that create creosote buildup, increasing fire risk.
🚫 Do NOT dump your tree on roadsides or in empty lots.
This becomes litter, harms wildlife, and contributes to roadside debris.
🚫 Do NOT send your tree to the landfill if tree-cycling is available.
Tennessee has many better options that turn your tree into something useful.
Recycle Your Christmas Tree in Tennessee
By recycling your Christmas tree responsibly, you help:
- Reduce landfill waste
- Prevent roadside dumping
- Support local mulching and compost programs
- Keep Tennessee’s communities clean and green
Whether you replant it, donate it, repurpose it, or recycle it through your city, your tree can make a positive impact long after the holidays end.
Remember: Don’t let your tree become roadside trash. However you get rid of your Christmas tree, TDOT encourages you to dispose of it safely and sustainably after the holidays!
