Do the donkey work and recycle your Christmas tree

The beneficiaries of the festive trees include 18-year-old donkey Bernard and 24 of his pals at Kinedale Donkeys in Ballynahinch.

Co-owner Robert Wallace explained why the donkeys love them.

“The donkeys eat the pine needles, which are rich in Vitamin C, then whatever is left of the trunks we’ll use to patch up holes in the hedges or we’ll mulch down to make bedding.

“The tree gets fully re-used and the donkeys love it because during these shorter days they are inside longer and they are bored if they have nothing to do. They play with the trees, they play tug of war, they scratch themselves on them and they chew the bark off them.

“It just enriches their lives a wee bit. We also have sheep and goats and they take some as well.”

Robert said they collected around 200-250 Christmas trees last year, but because of the pandemic this year, the collection service was no longer possible.

“Because we couldn’t be travelling around people’s houses, we decided people could bring their tree to us and we’ll take a small fee to dispose of it.”

“We’ve probably 150 trees at the moment and with people taking down their trees for the Epiphany today, we’ll probably get some more. We’ll stay open for collections until everybody is finished with theirs.”

Kinedale Donkeys, which opened to the public in August, offers ‘donkey experiences’.

“Visitors can spend time with the donkeys, take them for a walk, do an obstacle course and we do weddings and funerals and all sorts of things,” explained Robert, adding the farm is also home to a menagerie of 80 animals, including sheep, goats, a pot-bellied pig, chickens, birds, ducks, guinea fowl, golden pheasants, six dogs and three cats.

But donkeys have a special place in his heart.

“I’ve always had donkeys. When I was seven I started carriage driving with them. Donkeys are so humble, but they are absolutely amazing. They are such sweet animals, they don’t realise how fantastic they are.”

Previously, Belfast Zoo recycled Christmas trees for their animals, but is not doing so this year due to Covid-19 regulations.

Local recycling centres should also take trees, but check first as an appointment may be required.

People who illegally dispose of their Christmas trees could face a hefty fine of up to £2,500.