Local farm seeks Christmas tree donations

Instead of throwing out that live Christmas tree after the holidays, consider giving it to a group of goats.

Alyssa Palma invites people with trees to bring them to the Bulltown Bend Farm, 497 Bulltown Road, Elverson, where they will be eaten by the farm's three goats, Mary, Jane and June. Palma asks that residents place their trees along the fence line of the farm so as to not block the driveway.

"If people are strong enough and want to hoist (the tree) over the fence, they can do that," Palma said. "If the goats and chickens see you at the front fence, they will come to say hello."

Palma made a similar request after Halloween, asking the community for donations of pumpkins. "The little kids liked to chuck the pumpkins over the fence and watch the animals eat them," she said, noting that pumpkins and gourds are still accepted at the farm to feed the animals.

Any type of Christmas tree will be accepted, including white pine, Scotch pine, blue spruce, Fraser fir and Douglas fir. It is recommended that donated trees were fresh cut or purchased from local farms or small local businesses since some larger box stores spray their trees with chemicals such as colorants or fire retardants.

People are asked to be sure that all ornaments and tinsel are removed before donating the trees. "They can do their best to clean (off the tree). I will (remove) any remaining tinsel," Palma noted.

She said that with the absence of grass and weeds, the goats enjoy munching on the Christmas trees as a supplement to their diet. "Pine is like a natural parasite preventative, and it adds forage to a goat's diet," Palma explained. "Goats rely on eating a varied diet. They are not like horses who eat grass and hay. They need to eat weeds and twigs."

Palma said that the farm is also home to turkeys and chickens and that the chickens also enjoy nibbling or playing with pine needles and branches. "The chickens will play (with the trees). They won't eat them, but they will peck at them," she said.

Those unable to bring their trees to Elverson may consider other recycling options. For example, people may place their trees in the yard, where they can be used as a shelter for birds as well as an outdoor feeding station. Homeowners may hang bird feeders, apple or orange slices, suet cakes and strings of popcorn from the tree as well as pine cones covered in peanut butter and then rolled in birdseed.