Dumping pumpkins in the woods is bad for wildlife, warns Forestry England expert

21 October 2025 

Dumping pumpkins in the woods is bad for wildlife, warns Forestry England expert 

As Halloween approaches, millions of pumpkins will be carved into spooky lanterns across the UK, adding festive flair to doorsteps and windows. But once the celebrations are over, Forestry England is urging people to think twice before tossing their pumpkins into the woods. 

Despite popular online advice suggesting pumpkins are a treat for wildlife, experts say this well-meaning gesture can actually do more harm than good. 

Kate Wollen, Area Ecologist at Forestry England, explains: 

“We often see social media posts encouraging people to leave pumpkins in the forest for animals to eat, but this can be dangerous. 

“Pumpkins are not natural to the woodland and while some wildlife may enjoy a tasty snack it can make others, such as hedgehogs, very poorly. 

“Feeding pumpkins, or any other food in the forest, to birds, foxes, badgers, deer, and boar can make them unwell and can spread disease.   

“They’re also often decorated with candles, paint, or glitter, posing serious risks if eaten by animals.” 

Instead of leaving pumpkins in nature, Forestry England recommends eco-friendly and creative ways to reuse them at home. 

Kate continues: 

“Pumpkins are 90% water and rich in nitrogen, making them perfect for composting. Or why not turn the flesh into a warming autumn soup? There are so many great ways to give your pumpkin a second life.” 

Here are some fun and sustainable ideas to reuse your pumpkin: 

Use it for food 

• Cook with it - You can cook the flesh to make lots of delicious recipes including soups, stews, cakes and muffins.
• Roast the seeds - Keep the seeds for a tasty snack. Simply clean them and roast them with your favourite seasoning.
• Save for a later date - If you’d rather, you could freeze pumpkin puree or big chunks to use later. 

 Use in in your garden 

• Compost - If it’s no longer suitable for eating (e.g., carved and not very fresh), composting is a great option. Pumpkins provide a great source of nitrogen and moisture to your compost.
• Bury it - If you don't have a compost bin, simply bury the pumpkin directly in your garden. It will decompose and enrich the soil for your plants. 
• Plant the seeds - Save the seeds to grow next year’s pumpkins. Simply clean and dry the seeds, store them in a cool dry place and plant in spring time. 

Use it for other projects 

• Make a pumpkin bird feeder – Recycle the tough outer skin to make a temporary bird feeder for your garden. Simply cut the tough outer skin in half, pierce a hole in the top, gently loop wire through and use this to hang your pumpkin from a tree branch. Once hung, hold the pumpkin gently fill the pit with your favourite bird feed. Make sure to remove the feeder when the pumpkin starts to rot.
• Make a pumpkin bowl – Looking for something a bit different to offer your treats in this Halloween? A pumpkinbowl will be a hit with any trick or treaters that come knocking. Simply clean your carved pumpkin, line with a cloth, and fill with sweets and chocolate!