Allen Smith: Even with the best intentions Christmas is become one of the most excessive celebrations of the year. And nothings more telling then the aftermath, that will be piled along curbs sides all across this country over the next few weeks. Rather then just throwing your Christmas Tree away, there are ways to use it to benefit wildlife as well as your garden. Setting it near a bird feeder gives the bird some cover and protection. And leaving an old Christmas Tree in your garden, say in the corner or just anywhere out of sight can be a good place for butterflies to find the home to complete an important part of there life cycle.

Grindings the limps and trunk in to molds or even placing holdouts over the plants in your garden, can help them get through a cold period especially if you live where winters are severe. Another way we can help out, is to put to use all of that wrapping paper we normally through away. I like to save the larger sheets, fold them put them away in boxes along with my ornaments and give them a life next year. Those can also be preserved by simply taking tissue paper or wrapping paper and stuffing it between the loops and then putting them in plastic bags to hang in the attic or garage.

If you are not a recyclers, now is a great time to start. Many cities have programs where you can separate the materials and recycle at the scrub side or you can take it to stations, just think about it. The cardboard we through away today could be the Christmas cards we send next year. From the Garden, I am Allen Smith.

Now if you would like more information on this topic or other information just check out my website pallensmith.com.