Secure Second Use for Live Christmas Trees

Christmas trees are objects of beauty and cheer—until Dec. 26, when they can become a chore for families wondering what to do with them now that Christmas is over.

St. Louis County Department of Health representatives have a few environmentally friendly ideas for what to do with your tree:

1. If you live on or near a few acres of open land, use your live tree to create a wildlife habitat. Place the tree in a field as cover for small animals or submerge the tree in a pond or lake for a fish habitat. Do not dump the tree in a ravine or along an eroding bank.
2. If you’re feeling crafty, use the branches to decorate or make wreaths for your home, keeping the holiday spirit alive even after Christmas.  

When you are ready to dispose of your tree but you don’t have yard waste collection at your house, take it to a commercial composting facility, where it will be recycled. The health department recommends three companies in the county:

Route 66 Landscape Supply Center

18900 Franklin Road

Pacific, MO 63069

636-271-3352

Mon.-Fri., 7 a.m.-5 a.m.

$1 per tree

St. Louis Composting

-39 Old Elam Ave

Valley Park, MO 63088

Mon.-Fri., 7 a.m.-5 a.m.

-2510 Adie Road

Maryland Heights, MO 63043

Mon.-Fri., 6 a.m.-4 p.m.

636-861-3344

$1 per tree

ORMI Fort Bellefontaine Compost

13060 County Park Road

Florissant, MO 63034

314-355-0052

Mon.-Fri., 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

$1 per tree