The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) has provided insight on an idea to spread holiday cheer year-round, all while protecting local wildlife. 

The NCC is suggesting that in lieu of disposing of your natural tree, individuals instead move their tree to a location in their yard. 

Nature Conservancy of Canada spokesperson, Andrew Holland, said that there are many benefits to placing your tree outside, most notably for backyard birds. 

“We think about helping them other times of the year, but they try to hack our tough winter climate and it's important to provide them with some warmth and shelter,” he said. “So, by putting the Christmas tree out, the native natural Christmas tree that you have, if you lean it up against the fence or up against another tree, or just have it off the back deck that can provide warmth and shelter for overwintering birds.” 

He states that after removing indoor decorations, the tree can be redecorated with pine cones, nuts, and bird food. 

“Some people will put pine cones with some peanut butter in there,” he said. “They'll put suet there, they'll string together some nuts. So, these are a real important food source for overwintering birds that need to get through our winter climate and the storms and the cold temperatures that we get.” 

Holland accentuated that the project is supposed to be enjoyable for the while family, providing the opportunity to see gold finches, chickadees, blue jays, and cardinals. He added that the ideal spot would be beside a bird feeder in your yard. 

The small act of conservancy can also have a very positive impact on wildlife in the area Holland said, noting the declining bird population in the area.  

A report in 2019 showed that the number of birds in Canada and the United States decreased by almost 3 billion over the past half century. 

Holland adds that an optimal time to dispose of your natural tree is around Mother's Day. 

“That way you've given birds a fighting chance to survive in terms of providing some warmth and some shelter,” he said. “Around Mother's Day, that's when municipalities quite often will come and pick up our leaf litter and broken tree branches from the snow and the ice that weighs the tree branches down in the winter time.” 

He adds that the materials can be used as mulch for trail beds, garden beds, flower beds and municipal beautification projects.