From Tinsel to Tweets: How We Turned Our Christmas Tree Into a Backyard Bird Feeder
With Christmas Day a distant memory, we were once again faced with the yearly dilemma: what to do with the now-prickly, dried-out pine tree leaning forlornly in the backyard? It had brought joy and the scent of pine indoors, but post-festivities, it was more eyesore than centrepiece.
This year, rather than dragging it to the green waste bin or waiting for the council pickup, we decided to give our little tree a second life. We turned it into a standalone bird feeder, using only leftover materials, foraged branches, and a few tools we already had in the shed.
We had recently planted a new vege garden (home of Leo the Disco Scarecrow), and weren’t too keen on inviting birds to that part of the garden. Instead, we created a bird-friendly zone in the front yard where the birds could feast happily without nibbling on our seedlings.
We’d made hanging feeders before, but this time we wanted to try something different.
Our Upcycled Christmas Tree Bird Feeder
What You’ll Need
- Your used pine Christmas tree (real, not artificial)
- Hand saw or pruning saw
- Hammer and nails or wood screws
- Wool, twine, or strong string (optional)
- A handful of straight branches or sticks (for the platform)
- A drill (optional, for pre-drilling holes)
- Bird seed, apple slices, or other bird-safe food
Instructions
Step 1: Strip the Tree
- Using a handsaw or pruning saw, cut off the branches, working your way from the base to the top.
- Leave the top tip of the tree trunk intact, as this will help centre and support the feeder.
- Remove any remaining twigs or pine needles by hand (a bit of “plucking” goes a long way).
Step 2: Build the Feeder Platform
- Sort your collected sticks or branches. You’ll need enough to create a flat square or circular platform.
- Cut all sticks to roughly the same length. For a square feeder, aim for about 30cm each.
- Lay the sticks side by side like floorboards. Use two thinner sticks underneath, nailed across at each end, to hold the platform together.
- Tip: Leave a small gap in the centre of your platform for the tree trunk to slot into. You can do this by simply leaving a small hole, or spacing the sticks slightly wider in the middle.
- For extra strength, pre-drill the nail holes to prevent the wood from splitting.
Step 3: Attach the Tree Trunk
- Gently slot the top of the tree trunk into the centre hole.
- Nail or screw the platform to the trunk securely from underneath. This is where the weight of the feeder will rest, so make sure it’s stable.
- You may choose to secure it further by lashing it with wool or garden twine, especially if your wood is prone to splitting or uneven.
Step 4: Decorate and Secure
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We used colourful leftover wool to weave through the platform edges. Not only did it look cheerful, but it also helped hold a few pieces in place where nails didn’t sit well. The wool will break down over time, but it gave the feeder a lovely homemade finish and added a splash of colour in the garden.
Step 5: Position the Feeder
- Dig a small hole and place the tree trunk (now supporting the platform) firmly into the ground.
- Tamp the soil down around it or pack it with small rocks for extra support.
- Place it in a spot birds can easily access, away from high-traffic areas or where cats might lurk.
Our upcycled tree-turned-feeder has been a surprising success. Not only did it keep our old Christmas tree out of landfill, but it became a permanent, rustic feature in the garden—and a new favourite hangout for local sparrows and wax-eyes.
Every time we refill it, it reminds us that even the most temporary things (like a holiday tree) can have a second life with a little imagination.
