GO, TANNENBAuM
Trees kicked to curb will feed plants in parks
TREE-DUCE, tree-use, treecycle.
The city Department of Sanitation will be collecting Christmas trees from Tuesday, Jan. 2 through Saturday, Jan. 13.
While there is always that one person who keeps their Christmas tree up until February, the decorations are traditionally displayed until the end of the 12 Days of Christmas on Jan. 6. This day, also known as the Epiphany, or Three Kings Day, celebrates the visit of the wise men to the baby Jesus and marks the official end of the Christmas season.
Some people who are new to putting up a live tree may not be sure of what to do with spruces or firs that don’t fold up to stow away for the next year. That’s where the Department of Sanitation comes in.
“Tree-cycling” allows New Yorkers to properly dispose of Christmas trees — and avoid a messy pile of dried twigs and pine needles — while making the city greener.
Live and fake trees can be left out on the curb to be either composted or recycled. Natural trees will be chipped, mixed with leaves and recycled into compost for city parks, while artificial trees with metal or plastic should be put out on regular recycling days.
“While Christmas trees are in our homes for only a short period of time, recycling can give them a longer life,” Sanitation Commissioner Kathryn Garcia said.
“After collection, the trees are turned into compost to give life to plants in our city’s parks and community gardens. We thank all residents for taking part in the program.”
In 2016, more than 242,000 trees were collected by the New York’s Strongest.
From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Jan. 6 and 7, trees can be taken to select Parks Department locations for “MulchFest.”
The wood will be chipped and people can collect their own bag of mulch.
Each borough has at least one MulchFest. In Manhattan, it’s in Central Park; in Brooklyn, it’s Prospect Park, and in the Bronx, Van Cortlandt Park.
All trees tossed out after the collection window closes will be picked up as garbage.
Trees with Christmas lights, ornaments, stands or garlands will stay on the curb when thrown out.
Sanitation will only take bare trees, officials said.
Artificial trees that are still in good condition can also be sold or donated through donateNYC.