Now that Christmas is over, I imagine quite a few folks have already taken down the decorations and tossed the tree out into the backyard. I personally know people who would pack up the Christmas decorations at 12:01 a.m. Dec. 26 if their spouse would assist them.

Personally, I don't see any harm in enjoying the Christmas tree, wreath, ceramic Santas and even the outdoor Christmas lights until at least Jan. 1. If you fall into this category and haven't gotten around to disposing of your tree just yet, why not reuse it?

Unfortunately, some deem it perfectly acceptable to just toss their once-glorious Christmas trees along the roadside. University of Georgia horticulturist Matthew Chappell offers a few ideas on how to best dispose of your tree.

"When Christmastime is over, Christmas tree buyers everywhere are reminded that wrapping paper can be forced into a trash can, but a tree can't," said Chappell, with UGA's College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

Here's Chappell's top 10 things to do with a Christmas tree after Christmas:

10. Plant a landscape addition

"If you get a live tree, just plant it," he said. If you plan to plant your Christmas tree, pick a variety that can take Georgia's heat. Pines, cedars and cypress typically do well in Georgia. Spruce and fir will wither when summer hits.

9. Split wood

Chop up the tree - the smaller branches make excellent kindling.

8. Make some mulch

"Some people, if they have a chipper or shredder, make mulch out of their trees." (And Saturday's Bring One for the Chipper event at Hall County's trash compactor sites will allow you to mulch your tree and get a sapling, too.)

7. Shape a vine pole

Trim the branches off, but leave some for vine support. Sink the trunk in the ground. Plant a climbing plant like a morning glory or clematis next to it.

6. Carve a bird pole

"My parents have used trees as birdhouse poles," he said. They can also be used to hold bird feeders, but make sure to cut the branches to the trunk or the birdseed will become a squirrel feast.

5. Craft a longbow

"My brother-in-law made a longbow out of last year's Christmas tree," Chappell said. "A lot of bow hunters are going back to the old style, the old-world way of hunting."

4. Fashion a fish habitat

Drop three or four trees together in a pond or lake. Small fish will use the trees as a protective habitat to hide from larger fish.

3. Build a bottle tree

Cut all the branches about a foot from the trunk and put wine bottles on them. "My friend in Charleston, S.C., started that trend in his yard at Folly Beach. It's definitely better with different-colored bottles."

2. Create a coat rack

Cut all the branches off except for a few at the top, which should be trimmed 3 inches to 4 inches from the trunk. "It will turn out very good if you strip the bark. The wood is very pretty."

1. Whittle a walking stick

Christmas trees are generally tree species unique to Georgia. Therefore, make a special walking stick. "It takes a lot of whittling. You can give it as a gift next Christmas." This is Chappell's favorite use.

Billy Skaggs is an agricultural agent and Hall County extension coordinator. Phone: 770-531-6988. Fax: 770-531-3994.