Can I Compost Christmas trees?
Yes
Christmas trees can be composted.
What to Know
- Christmas trees are compostable and can add valuable organic matter to your compost pile
- They're considered a 'brown' material, high in carbon
- Remove all decorations, tinsel, and artificial snow before composting
- The tree will take a long time to break down if added whole
Tips
- Chop the tree into smaller pieces to speed up decomposition
- Use branches as a base layer in your compost bin for aeration
- The needles can be used as mulch in acid-loving plant beds
- If possible, run the tree through a chipper for faster breakdown
- Mixing with 'green' materials will help balance the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio