(Undated) -- It will soon be time to take down the holiday decorations, and the state's Bureau of Forestry reports there are several ways to transform a Christmas tree into something environmentally friendly. Private Forestland Stewardship coordinator Andrew Duncan says trees can be placed in a yard to create a shelter for small woodland creatures and birds. "A Christmas tree not only provides dense cover, but provides insulation from the wind with its evergreen leaves and foliage," Duncan says. He says old Christmas trees should only be placed in yards with the landowner's permission. Duncan says the trees can also be placed in ponds to create a habitat for fish, or they can be chipped to make mulch. He notes many communities have Christmas tree recycling programs.