Parks Department Extends MulchFest One More Week

See ya next year, trees! Mulchfest in Washington Square Park via agreatbigcity on Flickr

The opportunity to turn your Christmas tree into mulch has been extended through January 14, 2018.

Since the first major snowstorm hit during prime mulching time, the Parks Department will extend drop-off dates for MulchFest until this Sunday. If you couldn't leave the house this weekend, then drag that Christmas tree down to one of the dozens of drop-off sites and turn your festive pine into some wood chips that can protect city plants and tree roots.

There won't be a shredder at every location (Birdie's wood chipper can only work so fast!), but you'll be able to drop off the tree. Also bring wreaths or boughs, but carefully check that all ornaments and tinsel are removed. No Festivus Poles will be accepted, as they tend to jam up the wood chippers.

Ways to transport your tree to a drop-off location:

Tied down to a flattened cardboard box as a makeshift sled
Carefully balanced in a blue IKEA bag
Standing in a two-wheeled grocery cart
Cinched up in your laundry bag and thrown over your shoulder
Clipped to the belt of your neighborhood dogwalker for a few blocks until they notice

Happy mulching! View the full list of MulchFest locations.