After-Christmas trees

Many after-Christmases, I take my undecorated Christmas tree to the porch, deck or patio.

If my location has access to a plug-in I string outdoor twinkle lights then hang balls and squares of suet. Then I wind strings of croutons and garlands of orange and apple slices and cranberries around the tree.

Sometimes, if I can get the kids to help, I add a string or so of popcorn.

To finish off the outdoor banquet for the birds I drape colorful thin ribbons over the branches.

When my “After-Christmas Celebration” is complete, I go in the house and wait for my guests.

It isn’t long before chickadees and other little birds come to visit. The music they make as they call for their friends is lovely and needs no accompaniment.

It is weeks before the goodies are all gone and the needles of the tree have fallen. Then I take the skeletal remains of the tree to the recycling center. There are many agencies that receive end -of-season Christmas trees, some at no cost.

I enjoy watching the grateful little birds so much that some years I decorate two trees before Christmas. A tree inside for me, and one outside for the birds.

Merry After-Christmas!

— Margaret Swenson is a Spokane County Master Gardener