Christmas trees bring Holiday spirit to a home but come at a cost. We love balsam firs for their beauty and wonderful fragrance, but we don’t fancy sweeping up needles as the drying tree sheds.
This year we found the solution. We set the fir up on the deck just outside our living room. A large window gives great viewing and several strings keep it upright on windy days. Instead of normal decorations we bought several bell shaped pressed seeds, a thistle sock, and some small feeders and decorated the tree for the birds. Each morning we pour peanuts and sunflower seed at the tree’s top and many seeds settle on branches.
Our tree is alive with birds and squirrels all day. They are our living ornaments. And, after the Christmas season is over all we need to do is untie the strings, remove the tree from the stand, and sweep the deck off.
Marion and Rich at Winding Pathways wish you a pleasant winter holiday and a happy and healthy 2016.
PUTTING THE OLD TREE TO USE
Winding Pathways is near Cedar Rapids, Iowa where Indian Creek Nature Center accepts donated Christmas trees in January. They are chipped and volunteers spread the aromatic chips on trails. A walk on a freshly chipped trail smells like the north woods stroll.
Many other nature centers and towns recycle trees, but they can also be used around the home. Clip off the branches, let them dry and needles fall, and make kindling from the branches for summer cookouts. The stem makes a great garden pole. Set it upright and plant a few pole bean seeds in May. By July the tree will support delicious green beans.
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- Rich bought a variety of bird seed and suet that has been a big hit with wildlife.
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- From the comfort of the house, we can enjoy the animal antics.
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- Checking out the treats!
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- Ready to feed.
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- The squirrels quickly find that hiding among the branches gives them protection from the wind, predators and excellent vantage for eating!
