A Parks employee holds a small bag of mulch at a previous Mulchfest. Image Credit: Parks Dept.

In 2020, the Parks Department broke a record with over 50,900 trees mulched. Today, December 26, 2022, the Parks Department launches this year’s “Mulchfest,” where New Yorkers can mulch their live Christmas trees at locations in all five boroughs. The mulch can be used for gardening and to improve soil fertility. The mulch helps retain moisture, adds nutrients, and keeps roots warm. The mulch Parks collects is used to help city trees and community gardens citywide.

Starting today and running through January 8, drop-offs will begin at 73 sites citywide including:

The Bronx: Friends of Brook Park Community Garden; Pelham Bay Park; Van Cortlandt Park (at the golf course)

Brooklyn: Prospect Park (at Prospect Park West and 3rd Street); McCarren Park; Herbert Von King Park

Manhattan: Dewitt Clinton Park; Central Park (at West 65th Street, West 81st Street and East 106th Street); Washington Square Park

Queens: Juniper Valley Park; Astoria Park; Rockaway Beach (at Shore Front Parkway and Beach 94th Street)

Staten Island: Conference House Parking Lot; Clove Lakes Park; Willowbrook Park

For a full list of sites, click here. 

On the weekend of January 7 and 8, Parks will host a chipping weekend, where New Yorkers can actively mulch their trees by dropping off the tree to a chipping site, watch the tree be chipped, and take home a bag of mulch. Of the 73 sites, 34 are chipping sites. More information can be found on the Mulchfest website. 

In addition, the Sanitation Department will collect and compost trees left curbside from Friday January 6 through January 14. 

Recently, Parks has mulched between 25,000 and 30,000 trees annually, with a record of over 50,900 mulched in 2020.

By: Veronica Rose (Veronica is the CityLaw fellow and a New York Law School graduate, Class of 2018.)