The holidays are here, and with it the return of NYC Parks’ annual Mulchfest tree chipping celebration! Beginning December 26, New Yorkers can recycle their trees at local parks, with convenient drop-off sites in all five boroughs.
On Saturday, January 2 & 9, at any one of Parks’ 33 Chipping Saturday locations, residents can watch their tree get chipped, and those in need of nutrient-rich mulch can take some home with them—they just have to bring a bag.
Mulchfest 2021 will run from December 26 through January 9. New Yorkers will be able to drop off holiday trees at one of 67 sites—33 are chipping sites—across the five boroughs, including parks and GreenThumb gardens. The trees are then chipped and recycled, and the mulch is used to nourish city trees and plants in every corner of the city.
Following last year’s success, Parks is once again inviting New Yorkers to actively mulch their holiday trees on two consecutive Saturdays – January 2 & 9. On these days, residents can bring their tree and a tote bag to a chipping site and watch their tree being chipped, then bring their own nutrient-rich mulch home with them. Weather-permitting, DSNY will also collect and compost clean trees left at curbs from Monday, January 4 through Friday, January 15, 2021.
Mulchfest, part of the New York City holiday tradition, encourages New Yorkers to make greening a family activity—turning holiday trees into mulch which can be used for gardening and to increase soil fertility. For more than 20 years, Parks and DSNY have collected and mulched trees to help planting beds and community gardens around the city grow. Mulch maintains the health of our trees and plants citywide by deterring weeds, retaining moisture, preventing compaction, adding nutrients to the soil, and keeping roots warm. In recent years, Parks has mulched between 25,000 and 30,000 on average annually, with a record-setting 50,900+ mulched during Mulchfest 2020.
For more information, including the full list of Mulchfest drop-off and Saturday Chipping sites visit: nyc.gov/parks/mulchfest
Parks urges Mulchfest-goers to follow all City and State mandated social distancing guidelines – wear a face covering and maintain at least six feet of distance from others.