After the Christmas gifts are unwrapped, and the decorations are taken off the live tree, don’t forget to recycle the natural tree, says Ricky Ensley, interim Polk County Extension coordinator.

Here are a few suggestions Ensley recommends for that discarded Christmas tree:

— Place the tree in a garden or backyard for use as a winter bird feeder and shelter. Bread and suet will attract birds and brighten up the winter landscape.

— Mulch it. A Christmas tree is biodegradable. Its branches and trunk may be removed and chopped to be used as mulch in the garden.

— Sunk into private ponds and lakes, for it makes an excellent refuge and feed area for fish.

— Plant it. Living Christmas trees that come in with their roots intact can be planted in the yard and enjoyed for years to come.

— Recycle. The Polk County solid waste convenience sites will be accepting Christmas trees after the holidays.

Convenience sites are located on Davis Road, Canal Street and Highway 27 South, behind Farmer’s Store, in Cedartown; Baldwin Cut and Highway 278 East (old landfill) in Rockmart; and Prospect Road in Aragon.

A Christmas tree, what a great product to be recycled, Ensley says.