A shared Post from the NJSPCA Facebook Page today prompted me to share the idea here. The Lot is on a city street nice and cozy-close with the neighbors as city lots often are situated. After Christmas day, I often see many evergreens appear at the curbside for the city yard waste crews to pick up and take away. However, these trees can provide more services beyond being a mere organic ornament stand.

After December passes, the Other Half and I pack away the ornaments and put away the tree lights. Then we haul the tree through the house, showering needles everywhere and making a general mess. We place the evergreen in the backyard for January and February. Our Zone 6a winter is only half over and the tree provides shelter for birds and other small animals from any icy winds. The NJSPCA suggested adding suet balls and birdseed to the tree, which I think we’ll give a try this year. Unlike Mom G., we do not have to deal with the possibility of bears visiting.

When March arrives, we simply attach the bulk yard waste tag to the tree and the city will take it away. It is then ground up and redistributed during the summer as mulch through the city’s yard waste program. I know it isn’t much, but why not give a little extra shelter to our backyard residents? Then we can also enjoy the pretty evergreen just a bit longer.