Mulch ado about nothing! Say good-bough to your Christmas tree at Mulchfest 2025 * Brooklyn Paper

"From Dec. 26-Jan. 11, Brooklynites can drop their trees off at one of 23 Mulchfest locations across the borough, where they'll gather in fragrant piles until the parks department into fresh mulch. That nutrient-rich mulch will then be used in parks, tree beds and gardens around the city. According to the parks department, mulch helps to prevent weeds and soil compaction, maintain moisture, and keeps plant roots warm in freezing wintertime temperatures."

"The last weekend of Mulchfest, Jan. 10 and 11, is "Chipping Weekend." On those days, you can bring your tree to a select Mulchfest location to watch your tree get chipped, then take home a bag of mulch to use in your own garden or street tree bed. Even if you don't have a tree, some orgs, like the Prospect Park Alliance and Cobble Hill Association are looking for volunteers to help out with Chipping Weekend."

"Mulching is a green way to dispose of the trees, too. Live Christmas trees are generally considered more sustainable than fake ones, but tossing them responsibly is important. In a landfill, organic matter can't decompose properly, and " " a live tree reduces its environmental impact even further. More than 52,000 trees were recycled at last year's Mulchfest, per the parks department, and they're hoping to get even more this year."

Brooklyn's Mulchfest runs Dec. 26–Jan. 11 with 23 drop-off locations for live Christmas trees to be collected and turned into mulch. Parks and gardens across the city will receive nutrient-rich mulch that helps prevent weeds, reduces soil compaction, retains moisture, and insulates plant roots against freezing temperatures. Mulching offers a sustainable disposal alternative to landfilling, and more than 52,000 trees were recycled at last year's Mulchfest. The final weekend, Jan. 10–11, is Chipping Weekend when residents can watch trees get chipped and take home mulch. Volunteers are sought for chipping events. Remove lights, decorations and netting before drop-off.

Read at Brooklyn Paper