How to Recycle a Christmas Tree in Sarasota, Florida

As I was doing my research for this article, I personally had a difficult time finding decent information if any at all on how to recycle Christmas tree's here. There are plenty of companies that will take the tree away for you for a pretty penny, especially if the tree is over 6 feet tall. Many say that they are going to recycle the tree's but who knows how many actually do that. There are several things that my family have done over the years to use the tree throughout the year.

Firewood
In our home we have a fireplace and a fire pit out back that we use on a regular basis. So we will cut the tree into reasonable chunks and use it as firewood and kindling. Even if you don't have either at home, you can still post on craigslist.com, freecycle.org, or in the newspaper that you are looking to give away your tree. Whoever decides to pick it up can use it themselves for firewood or whatever else they desire to use it for.

Fragrance
With as fragrant as the pine needles are, you can fill up a bowl with the needles and break them up. The scent will fill up your home for a couple weeks after you get rid of your tree. When you are done with the needles you can just throw them into the compost bin or just spread them in the backyard.

Treehouse
If you have kids, you can easily pick up a few used Christmas tree's from around town, cut off the branches and use the trunks for parts of a tree house or stand them up against each other in a tee pee style with a little "door" area where the kids can go in and out of.

Sarasota County Bulk and Oversized waste collection
You can contact Sarasota county waste management to pick up your tree as well. If it is over 6 feet tall, you need to pay a small fee. You can click here to learn more.