There’s more than one way to dispose your Christmas tree in the Ottawa area

A goat eats a Christmas tree at Vanderlaand The Barnyard Zoo. Jan. 5, 2026. (Camille Wilson/CTV News OttawA)

Now that Christmas is over and it’s time to get rid of your trees, and instead of putting them on the curb for the waste trucks to collect, a farm in Winchester says they would like to use them to feed their animals.

Ruth Vanderlaan, owner of Vanderlaand The Barnyard Zoo says once the tree is decoration-free and out of the house, bring it by the farm.

“It’s the animals favourite time of year, when the Christmas trees come. It gives a second life to the Christmas trees because they provide a Christmas cheer in your home and then they can become a good snack after,” says Vanderlaan.

Vanderlaan has been collecting Christmas trees for the animals for around 15 years.

“For goats, it’s a humdrum life right now because there’s no grass. This way they get the nutritional value. It’s good for their digestion,” says Vanderlaan.

Since Christmas, Vanderlaan has collected around 45 trees and is expecting a lot more. She normally receives 150-plus, and they last multiple months. She gives the animals 2 or 3 every day to eat and they also act as windbreakers as well for the animals.

“You can drop it off here along the fence or if it’s after hours, just leave it at the end of the road and we move it up to the animals,” says Vanderlaan.

Other farms also collect trees for their animals.

“Obviously we can’t take every tree in Ottawa. Source other farms that would benefit from your tree,” says Vanderlaan.

The National Capital Commission also wants Christmas Trees to place on The Canal Skateway.

“We’re collecting them at the parking lot we have near the Bronson, service area. People just deposit there. They’re providing a space for our service areas, all four of them. It protects a little bit from the wind,” says Bruce Devine, senior manager of the Rideau Canal Skateway.

At the end of the season, the maintenance crews will take them and shred them to use for flower beds.

The City of Ottawa will also collect old trees. Residents can leave them at the curb with the green bin.

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