Eastern Ontario farm wants your Christmas trees to feed its animals: ’They do like the fresh needles’

An animal farm in eastern Ontario wants your Christmas trees for its goats, sheep, alpacas and cattle to feed on. (Kimberley Johnson/ CTV News Ottawa)

An animal farm in eastern Ontario wants your Christmas trees for its goats, sheep, alpacas and cattle to feed on.

Vanderlaand The Barnyard Zoo in Winchester, Ont., a petting zoo, takes about 150 trees every year and uses them to feed and shelter its animals, owner Ruth Vanderlaan told CTV News Ottawa Sunday.

“They do like the fresh needles,” she said. “They will clean them right up. It's usually like a toothpick.”

The farm is a family activity that attracts people living in North Dundas and the Ottawa region.

Mom Erin Kergin was at the farm with her kids Sunday. She says visiting has become an annual tradition.

“Recycling the tree, so no scraps go to waste is really wonderful. And that the kids actually get to see the goats and the donkeys and all the animals kind of rejoice that (they get to eat it)," she said.

"It's the second life for their Christmas tree, which is really lovely to see.”

Her daughter Willow Kergin says she loves to visit.

"I love tossing things over fences,” she said while watching the goats quickly grab the tree branches up.

The Vanderlaand Barnyard Zoo is open for the Christmas holidays from Dec. 29-31 between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., before being closed for Jan. 1 and 2, 2025 and reopening from Jan. 3-6 from 11 a.m. to 3pm.

Vanderlaan says if you would like a chance to feed the animals, you can come during opening hours. Otherwise, if the farm is closed, those dropping off their trees can leave them at the end of the road.

The City of Ottawa has also shared a few options on how to get rid of your Christmas trees while helping the environment:

• Leave it in your backyard. This can help improve the soil quality, as it decomposes. It can also provide shelter for wildlife.

• Trim the branches and use them as supports for vines, flowers and bushes in your backyard.

• Create “rustic garden edges” with the branches.