‘Chipping Weekend’ offers ecological Christmas Tree disposal
Mulchfest gathers volunteers, families and park employees
Mark Focht (far right) poses for a photo with Parks staff and volunteers. Photo by Gabriele Holtermann
By Gabriele Holtermann
January 16, 2025
Copy Link
Email
Facebook
X
LinkedIn
WhatsApp
Telegram
Pinterest
Print
PROSPECT PARK — New Yorkers wrapped up the post-holiday season by saying “fir-well” to their yule trees at the NYC Parks Department’s annual Mulchfest, which started on Dec. 26 and concluded with “Chipping Weekend” on Saturday, Jan. 11 and Sunday, Jan. 12.
Instead of dumping the trees in landfills where they break down into the harmful greenhouse gas methane, New Yorkers could drop off their live Christmas trees at one of the 75 locations — including 35 chipping sites — across the five boroughs. The holiday tradition is an eco-friendly way to dispose of the evergreens, which are chipped and turned into nutrient-rich mulch. The mulch is used in tree beds and community gardens citywide, and it helps deter weeds, keeps roots warm, retains moisture and prevents compaction.
Prospect Park was host to one of the ten chipping sites in Brooklyn, and hundreds of live Christmas trees were already piled up along West Drive at Third Street and Prospect Park West in Park Slope on Saturday morning. A steady flow of Parks Department trucks delivered more trees they collected from drop-off sites throughout the day while neighbors dropped off their holiday trees at the site, watching the breakdown of their trees in action.
Several volunteers kept the supply of evergreens flowing as Parks employees fed the trees into a wood chipper, which discharged the wood chips into a truck.
SUNSET PARK — “As a resident of Marine Park, one of the great surprises I found biking around Industry City and visiting Japan Village was to discover Bush Terminal Park. I continue to be amazed at the serene hideaways that the city offers in some of the busiest places — and, still, with an iconic view.”
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — ‘A miracle that no one was killed …’ That’s what neighbors are saying about the collapse of the Hotel St. George marquee. Shown in this photograph are workmen beginning the removal and repair of the historic, old neon sign at the corner, referencing a relic of Brooklyn Heights’ past: the St. George Hotel.
ATLANTIC AVENUE — Exhausted shopper with cluster of bags and goods from mall at Boerum Place stops to look at huge construction site across the street. “Is that REALLY going to be a jail??” Her male companion is reassuring, “Nothing like Rikers … this is 21st Century.”
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — Overheard in line at one of most popular pastry outlets on Montague Street: “Hope I can get them into a camp …” A mother with two pre-schoolers in tow was showing a friend the Dodge Y flyer for Healthy Kids Day on Saturday, April 18.
