Can I Burn My Christmas Tree? The Do’s and Don’ts of Post-Festive Disposal

Author: J&H Logs Team Category: Safety & Guides

It is the final job of the festive season. The decorations are packed away, the needles are vacuumed up, and you are left with a 6-foot Nordic Spruce or Nordmann Fir in the hallway.

If you have a log burner or open fire, the temptation is obvious: Why not chop it up and burn it? It’s wood, isn’t it?

Before you reach for the axe, stop. While your Christmas tree is wood, putting a fresh one straight into your stove is one of the worst things you can do for your chimney and your safety.

Here is the expert verdict on why you shouldn’t burn your tree today—and how to do it safely next year.

The Short Answer: No, Not Yet.

You should never burn a freshly taken-down Christmas tree in an indoor wood burner or open fire.

Even though the tree might look "dead" or dry because the needles are dropping, the wood inside the trunk and branches is still "green." It is alive. A fresh Christmas tree can hold over 50% moisture content.

For comparison, our Kiln Dried Logs are dried to below 20%. Burning wood that is 50% water isn't burning; it’s boiling.

The 3 Dangers of Burning a Fresh Tree

1. The Creosote Risk (Chimney Fire Hazard) Softwoods like Pine, Fir, and Spruce are filled with sap and resin. When you burn them wet, the fire smoulders at a low temperature. This produces thick, tar-like smoke that cools as it travels up your chimney, condensing into creosote. Creosote is highly flammable. If it builds up in your flue, it significantly increases the risk of a chimney fire later in the year.

2. The "Flash" Risk (Needles) While the wood is wet, the needles are often bone dry and filled with turpentine-like oils. If you throw a branch with needles into a hot fire, they can ignite explosively ("flash over"). This can send sparks shooting out of an open fire or overwhelm a small stove’s air supply, creating sudden puffs of smoke into the room.

3. No Heat, Just Steam Because the tree is full of water, your fire spends all its energy boiling that water off as steam rather than heating your room. You will end up with a hissing, smoking log and a cold house.

"So, Can I Ever Burn It?"

Yes—but patience is key. Softwood (like your Christmas tree) is actually excellent kindling or firewood, but only if it is seasoned properly.

If you have the space and a chainsaw/axe, follow this plan:

1. Strip the branches: Remove all the small branches and needles (compost these or take them to the tip—do not burn needles).

2. Chop the trunk: Cut the main trunk into log-sized rounds.

3. Split and Stack: Split the rounds (this helps them dry) and stack them in your log store, off the ground and covered from rain but open to wind.

4. Wait: Leave them for 12 months. By next Christmas, that wood will be seasoned, light, and perfect for getting a fire started quickly.

What Should I Do With My Tree Now?

If you don't have space to season the wood for a year, don’t try to force it.

• Council Collection: Check if your local council (Leicestershire/Rutland/Lincolnshire) offers a kerbside collection for trees in January.

• Mulching: Shred the tree and use it as mulch for your garden (it’s great for acid-loving plants).

• The Tip: Take it to your local household waste recycling centre.

Stick to What's Safe

Don’t ruin a cosy January evening with a smoked-out living room or a clogged chimney. Stick to certified Ready To Burn Kiln Dried logs for guaranteed heat, and save the gardening for the spring.