Repurposing a fresh-cut Christmas tree into a winter wildlife buffet is the ultimate form of recycling. Instead of hauling your tree to the curb, set it up outdoors as a bird feeding station and enjoy weeks of entertainment. I placed mine beside my existing feeder last year and spent hours watching birds feeding, chirping—and the squirrels pigging out! Their antics kept us entertained for days, and even my dogs were intrigued by the low-hanging fruit. It truly became a smorgasbord for everyone. I have done this with larger trees and smaller ones. Birds will feast on whatever you put out.
If you use an artificial tree—as 83% of Americans do—you can still enjoy this project by picking up discarded Christmas trees that appear on the curb after the holidays. You might also visit a local tree seller right after Christmas, when they often give away leftover trees very cheaply—or even for free.
Step 1 – Location
Choose a spot that’s visible from your house and sheltered from strong winds. I placed my tree beside an existing feeder below a large sycamore tree, which gives birds overhead perching spots and some protection from hawks and aggressive visitors.
Step 2 – Secure the Tree (larger ones need it!)
I left the still-fragrant tree in the tree stand, mounted to a large sheet of plywood for stability. To prevent tipping, I tied twine around the trunk and attached it to the feeder post. A piece of burlap became the tree skirt. For the smaller tree, I selected a large container, filled it with soil, and stuck the tree directly into the dirt.
Step 3 – Plan the Menu
For my own enjoyment, I wanted the tree to be attractive as well as functional. I used a mix of textures and colors—popcorn garlands, orange slices, millet sprays, seed heads, birdseed ornaments, and pinecones rolled in peanut butter. My top go-to for bird info is Cornell’s Project Feederwatch which is the best resource for learning what birds prefer—especially the surprising detail that many birds relish bacon fat. Just click on the picture of a bird and it shows what areas they live in, the food types they prefer, and the type of feeder that works best for that species. Dig a bit deeper and you can see pictures of the both the male and female and compare with different species so you can properly ID your birds. Here is my own Suet Recipe.
Keep extra supplies on hand to restock throughout the winter. Nature will return for refills.
Materials Used
Sliced fresh oranges
Used grapefruit halves filled with bird seed
Popcorn balls with peanut butter
Raw sheep’s wool
Bird seed ornaments
Raisin strings
Dried seed heads
Winterberry sprays
Cheerios on pipe cleaners
Millet sprays
Pinecones slathered with peanut butter and bird seed
Other options: apple slices, dried fruit, peanuts (unsalted), mealworms, dried corn, stale bread (sparingly), bacon fat, beef fat, pork fat, cooked rice.
Do not use: cooked turkey fat, anything salted, moldy food, dog or cat biscuits, or milk.
All hangers were made with natural jute or yarn.
Step 4 – Decorate
As with any Christmas tree, begin with the largest décor first: garlands, large seed heads, berry sprays, and pinecones. Then hang smaller items like seed balls and ornaments. I hung the peanut butter ornaments high so my dogs couldn’t steal them—but the squirrels did anyway. No matter—I made enough for everyone.
Step 5 – Nesting Materials
Since this tree stays up for several months, I added nesting materials that birds will use in early spring. I stuffed natural sheep’s wool into branch joints and found it in old nests the following year. Other good nesting materials:
Dead twigs
Dry grass (not pesticide-treated)
Dead leaves
Feathers
Plant fluff (cattail or cottonwood)
Moss
Bark strips
Pine needles
Recipes
A nutritious winter treat — forms easily into hangable balls with jute.
Peanut Butter Seed Balls
A nutritious easy snack to feed your birds in the winter
Ingredients
- 5-6 C Popped corn with no salt, don't use microwaved, like Jiffy Pop
- 1 C Raisons, or other dried fruit
- 3/4 C Peanuts, not salted, as salt can be toxic to birds
- 2 1/2 C Peanut butter, I like to use the natural kind
- 1/2 C Corn Syrup
- 1 C Mixed Bird Seed
Instructions
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Melt the peanut butter and corn syrup on low heat until smooth and syrupy
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Add in rest of ingredients and stir until everything is completely moistened.
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Let cool until cool enough to form into small balls. Then form the mixture into balls about 1 - 2 inches in diameter by hand.
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Use natural jute twine, wrapping around the balls firmly and creating a hanger to tie to the tree branch.
Bark Butter for Birds
Excellent for spreading on logs and cones. Easy to make and far cheaper than store-bought bird butter.
Bark Butter for Birds
A high fat source of protein for feeding backyard birds; Slather it on branches and bird feeders
Ingredients
- 1 Lb Lard
- 1 C Peanut Butter, Creamy or Smooth
- 4 C Cornmeal
- 1 C Flour
Instructions
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Mix together peanut butter and lard in large bowl until smooth
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Add flour and cornmeal in batches, stirring after every addition until thoroughly mixed
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Slather onto pine cones, or tree bark for squirrels and birds to lap up. Pinecones can be rolled in a seed mixture and meal worms for extra protein
Peanut Butter Bird Suet
This makes a simple high fat suet cake that you cut up to make any size or shape. I use lard or beef suet for the fat. Lard is easier to find. I also throw in many additions like raisins, sunflower seeds, nuts, etc.
Ingredients
- 2 C Crunchy or smooth Peanut Butter
- 2 C Lard or Beef Fat
- 4 C Oatmeal
- 4 C Corn Meal
- 2 C Flour, white of whole wheat
- 2/3 C Sugar, brown or white
- Raisins, peanuts, dried fruit, bird seed can be added to this mix, just make sure everything is thoroughly moistened with the lard mix
Instructions
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Melt lard and peanut butter in a dutch oven.
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Stir in the remaining ingredients. The mixture will be stiff and wet.Â
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Spoon into a 9 x13 glass casserole or half gallon waxed milk container. When hard, cut into squares and you can store any excess in the freezer.
Bird Seed Ornaments
Highly popular with readers! This recipe remains one of my most viewed of all time. Mold them in cookie cutters or Bundt pans and press firmly. Go to my original post at Bird Seed Ornaments.
Bird Seed Ornaments
Mix up bird seed with dried fruit, fresh cranberries, and mealworms for a nutritious snack for songbirds
Ingredients
- 3-4 C Mixed Bird Seed Millet, Sunflower Seeds, Meal Worms, Cracked Corn, Peanuts, Dried Fruit, Nuts, Pumpkin Seeds
- 1 Pkg of 4 Envelopes Unflavored Gelatin mixed into 3/4 C to 1 C warm water
- 2 T Corn Syrup
- 1/4 C Flour mixed into 1/3 C water
Instructions
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Spray your cookie cutters and/or bundt pan with non-stick spray and place on a foil covered cookie sheet.
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Empty gelatin into a large bowl with warm water (1 Cup) until it forms a thick paste. Let this sit for 1 minute, stirring to dissolve. Add some more water if it is too thick.
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Mix flour and water together in a small bowl to form a paste.
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Add corn syrup to the gelatin mixture, stirring. Then add the flour paste, mixing thoroughly. This is the binder that gels the seeds together. It should be a thick gooey mass with some lumps. Add small amounts of water as needed.
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Mix in the bird seed, using just enough to cover all the bird seed.
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Fill the cookie cutters/wreath with the mixture and press into shape firmly. Don’t skimp this part- the more packed in you can get the cookie cutters and molds, the better they hold their shape.
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Make a small hole with the skewer for the string or raffia in the ornaments. Leave the skewers in until the ornaments dry.
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Let cure/air dry for several days and they are ready to unmold. Do not double this recipe. I made two separate batches to make 4-5 ornaments and a wreath.
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Let dry once you unmold for an additional day to harden. I did this in the cold air of outside.
A Feast and a Show
Once decorated, your tree becomes a living wildlife display. Birds, squirrels, and even your dogs will investigate. With a window view, a cup of tea, and binoculars, you’ve created winter entertainment—and supported wildlife when food is scarce. It’s the perfect after-Christmas tradition: give the tree one more job before it retires.
For more of my posts on birds and feeding them:
Extreme Weather Strategies for Birds
Great Backyard Bird Count 2025
Top Three Vines that Attract Butterflies, Bees, and Hummingbirds
That’s such a good idea! I never thought of doing this before, but your recipes are great, especially the peanut butter seed balls.
We re-purposed an old Christmas tree stand into a bee hotel!
How did you do that? I would love to see a picture!
We just drilled some holes into it and then put planks in the back. I put some pictures in my new post: https://highgategarden.wordpress.com/2025/12/06/all-the-creatures/
Nice!! I see you are in England. I travel there pretty frequently leading garden tours.
That sounds wonderful. Is there a place where I can learn about upcoming tours? If you’re in or near London, I’d love to go on one.
The tours are on my blog under trips or on my other website- Claire Jones Landscapes. Love to have you!