I have a few volunteer loblolly pines that I need to cut before they get too big (and crowd out their neighbors), but I’ve been letting them grow so I could use them over the holidays to make natural decorations.

Fun fact: pine needles are high in vitamin C and antioxidants and have anti inflammatory effects. So it’s great for making teas or, in this case, simple syrup. Here’s all you need:

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 cups fresh clean pine needles

Boil the water then remove from heat. Stir in the sugar and allow it to dissolve. Add a bunch of fresh, clean, young pine needles. Cover and wait for an hour or two. Strain and enjoy in tea, with kombucha, added to seltzer, or how ever you like. The syrup should last about a month in the fridge.