LITTLE WOLF, Wis. — At least 15 million Christmas trees are dumped into landfills every year after the holiday, according to the nonprofit Seaside Sustainability. In landfills, trees decompose slowly and release harmful greenhouse gases.

In the small town of Little Wolf in Waupaca County, a business owner came up with a more earth-friendly, sustainable solution.

“To my neighbors I said, ‘Hey, can I have your tree?’ Or I’d stop when I was driving through to town and see a tree on the curb and knock on the door. They’d say, ‘Yeah, you can have it,’” Lori Oakason, the owner of Oakwoods Farm, said.


What You Need To Know

  • At least 15 million Christmas trees are dumped into landfills every year after the holiday, according to the nonprofit Seaside Sustainability

  • Oakwoods Farm owner Lori Oakason's goats eat discarded Christmas trees

  • Manawa Public Works Director Josh Smith said the city donates its old Christmas trees to Oakwoods Farm to avoid paying for safe disposal

  • Oakason said the Christmas trees are a natural dewormer and a source of fiber. The pine needles are full of Vitamin C, Vitamin D and copper 

Oakason said she knew that goats love eating Christmas trees. So, she started collecting her neighbor’s discarded trees for her herd of Nigerian goats.

“They’re some of the smallest, next to Fainting goats, which are the smallest,” she said.

Despite their small stature, they have big appetites. Oakason said getting Christmas trees for them to snack on helps, because during winter, she has limited access to fresh greens for them to eat.

“Pine needles are full of Vitamin C, Vitamin D and the bark has a lot of copper in it, which is real good for goats,” said Oakason. “They’re also a natural dewormer and good fiber.”

With the help of her neighbors, Oakason’s been able to collect more than 100 trees to help the environment and her goats.

She and her four-legged tree-eating helpers caught the attention of Manawa Public Works Director Josh Smith.

“One of our city constituents, mentioned me by name about, ‘why don’t we take a take the trees out there instead of paying to get rid of them?’” Smith said.  

By bringing city-collected Christmas trees to the goats at Oakwoods Farm, Smith avoids having to pay for safe disposal.

“The Christmas trees actually have a lot of natural minerals for the goats,” said Smith. “So, I guess, if the city can help out some way and benefit in another way as well, why not go for it?”

Oakason said she loves watching them enjoy their plentiful after-Christmas gift.

“It’s fun to watch them get a kick out of it. They come running when they see me dragging them in,” Oakason said.

She said they’re not picky on the type of Christmas tree either. They’ll eat them all — pine, fir and spruce. The key, though, she said, is making sure they’re clear of decorations before they rush to enjoy them.