How to Part Ways with Your Christmas Tree

If you have a real Christmas tree in your home, the needles are probably dropping off at a fast and furious pace by now. Time to think about getting rid of the old girl.

If you live in , leave it at the curb on your refuse pickup day and Waste Management will haul it away for you and turn it into mulch. Remember, however, that any tree taller than six feet must be cut into sections.

Those who don't have municipal garbage collection can turn to the Will County Forest Preserve District for help. It has four locations where trees can be dropped off from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Jan. 9: Isle a la Cache Museum in Romeoville, Sugar Creek Administration Center in Joliet, Monee Reservoir and Goodenow Creek Nature Preserve in Beecher.

District officials ask that all tinsel, lights and ornaments be removed before disposal. The trees they collect will be turned into mulch for the district's walking trails and landscaping.

For more information, go to www.reconnectwithnature.org/information/christmastreerecycling-2011.asp.

Some people like to put their old tree in the back yard to serve as a winter shelter for birds, according to planetgreen.com. If you decorate your tree with popcorn and cranberries and add suet or peanut butter, you'll be feeding them as well, the site says.

Planetgreen.com also suggests other creative ways to recycle the tree, including using the trunk to make coasters and votive candle holders, using the needles for potpourri and using the branches edge garden beds.