Knife & Needle: TREEcycling

Give your Christmas tree a second bring it into the woods for a morning of whittling, cutting skills and a fireside fun. The Twelfth Night comes, the lights come down, and for most trees that's the end of the story — out to the verge, or fed through a chipper, weeks of growing reduced to mulch in an afternoon. We think a tree that stood in your home for a fortnight deserves a better last chapter than that. The Tree's Second Life is a single morning in the woods, timed to the point in the calendar when every household in Cornwall is doing the same thing: taking the tree down. Bring yours with you - whole if you can manage it, just the top and best branches if you can't and we'll show you what a spruce or a pine is actually good for, once the tinsel's off. You'll learn the cutting techniques bushcraft has used on softwood for centuries, whittling fantastic items that will last a lifetime and drink tea made from the same needles that were dropping on your carpet all December. Your tree gave you twelve nights of light - Come and give it a new lease of life. Bring your own real Christmas tree, completely undecorated and not chemically flocked or frost-sprayed. If transporting the whole tree isn't practical, the top 60cm and a handful of best branches are plenty - we'll confirm exactly what to look for once you've booked. Bring gloves and warm, weatherproof layers. What's included • A 3-hour session, 10am–1pm, led by our instructor • All tools and crafting materials and even a tree if you dont have one to hand • A hot needle infusion and refreshments by the fire Don't have a fresh tree - no problem - we will be able to source one for you no doubt Good to know • Maximum 15 places • All cutting tools are used under direct instruction, with a full safety briefing before any blade comes out • Only true pine and spruce are used in the infusion; we confirm your tree's species with you before anything goes in the pot • Please declare any allergies or dietary requirements when booking, as the session includes a hot infusion and refreshments • Sensible outdoor footwear, gloves and weatherproof clothing required — we go out rain or shine • Designed for adults; get in touch if you'd like to bring a young person along New to Survive & Revive? This is a good, low-commitment place to start. If you enjoy it, The Forager's Almanac runs four seasonal foraging days across the year from March - details on our website.