Now that Christmas is over, when do you take down the tree?

There are two kinds of people: those who take down their Christmas trees Dec. 26 and those who aren’t quite ready for the season to be over.

If you need an excuse to keep listening to Christmas music and enjoying your Christmas tree, you’re in luck. According to Christian tradition, the 12 days don’t actually start until Christmas Day. Therefore, Jan. 6 marks the Twelfth Night, which is the best time to take down your tree.

It’s believed that waiting too long after the Twelfth Night will bring bad luck.

Whenever you decide to take down the Christmas tree, consider the following options for recycling or reusing the tree as a better alternative to the landfill.

Check with the city or town government for Christmas tree drop-off areas or designated pick-up days and time. The trees are then delivered to a recycling area, where they are chipped and used as mulch for parks and green areas.

Chop up your tree and use it as fuel for your fireplace or fire pit.

Use the old tree to work in your own yard as mulch or compost. Just remove the branches and shake off the dead needles. They can also be used as edging borders for gardens and walkways.

If you have a lake or pond on your property or nearby, consider dumping the tree into it to provide a natural decomposing habitat for fish. The tree acts as an anchor, and algae starts to form on the tree, feeding fish and protecting them from predators.

Rent a wood chipper and invite your friends and neighbors to bring over their Christmas trees for a wood-chipping party. Distribute the chips to everyone to use as mulch or compost.

The ashes from the burned wood can be used in your garden. Wood ash contains potassium and lime – and other nutrients – which help plants thrive. You can also mix the ashes into compost.

Many clubs, such as Cultura Garden Club and Book Lovers Study Club, endorse ways to clean up the earth through reducing, reusing and recycling. Support their efforts by conserving our natural resources through using the “three R’s.”