[Patch]

Evening everyone. 

I have a real Christmas tree that has been cut up but, rather than take it to the recycling centre for them to take it away, shred it, compost it and then maybe sell it back to me as Council made compost, can I, considering I have a shredder myself, shred it and put it on my own compost heap, even in stages, or is this not advisable?

Many thanks for the advice.

 

[Yorkie]

That does sound possible, although I'd have concerns about pH levels (conifers can be quite acidic) and length of time it takes to rot down.

If you layer it onto the heap once it's heated up it might be worth a shot.  Wait to see what others say, though, as I'm not entirely sure.

[Patch]

Thanks Yorkie. 

As you say I will wait to see if anyone else, hopefully someone who has experience of composting Christmas trees, and see if they advise for or against it.

 

[Patch]

Hello all. 

On the above subject that I put up, I have been Googling it and it seems to be alright as long as the branches are cut up as small as possible, so I may give it a go rather than waste a good tree.

One link to this is as follows:

http://crazyaboutcompost.com/tag/can-i-compost-my-Christmas-tree/

Hope this helps others on here too.

 

 

[sion01]

You can compost shreded trees but they will take at least two years to rot down and don't be tempted to use it before two years(learn from my mistake) as the process of rotting uses up nitrogen from the soil before releasing it back plus interest.You could make a special compost bin for woody stuff if your feeling energetic and have the space

[Patch]

Thanks for that advice sion. 

It looks like I may transport the chopped up tree to the recycling centre then.  Seems an awful waste considering I have a shredder, but, considering I use most of my compost every year, I'd rather have something on the compost heap that will be rotted down and useable in a year's time.

 

[viettaclark]

I save all dropped bits from my fir trees, shred and compost them separately to use as a mulch on acid loving plants such as blueberries, camelia, rhodedendron and azaleas.
Waste not want not and ericaceous compost is expensive!!

[snowdrops]

I've shredded mine in the past & then added small amounts to compost bin over time it was fine, only reason I didn't this year was that I was poorly & MR S put it out for recycling.