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This record surpasses last year’s total, with Brooklyn taking the top spot by chipping over 19,000 trees

NYC Parks set a new Mulchfest chipping record for the second time in three years, chipping 52,569 holiday trees citywide—beating last year's total of 42,000. Out of all five boroughs, Brooklyn took the top spot, chipping more than 19,000 trees, while Manhattan followed in second place with more than 11,000 trees mulched. This year’s success highlights New Yorkers’ growing commitment to sustainability and tree recycling, supported by this family-friendly eventthat encourages community participation.

“For the second time in Mulchfest history, New Yorkers have come together to set a chipping record by recycling more than 52,000 trees!” said NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue. “This incredible achievement reflects our city’s dedication to sustainability and keeping our parks and green spaces healthy. Thank you to everyone who participated—your efforts help nourish our urban forests and create a greener, more resilient New York City.”

Mulchfest is a sustainable initiative that helps reduce waste by recycling holiday trees, continuing an important role in the natural lifecycle of trees. The mulch created from these trees contributes to the health of New York City's urban landscape by supporting the growth of new plants, gardens, and trees. Mulch helps maintain the vitality of our city’s trees and plants by deterring weeds, retaining moisture, preventing soil compaction, adding essential nutrients, and keeping tree roots warm during colder months.

ABOUT NYC PARKS MULCHFEST:

Mulchfest 2025 ran from December 26 through January 12. New Yorkers had the opportunity to drop off holiday trees at one of 75 sites – including 35 chipping sites – across the five boroughs, including parks and Greenthumb gardens.

Mulchfest, part of the New York City holiday tradition, encourages New Yorkers to make greening a family activity by turning holiday trees into mulch that can be used for gardening and increasing soil fertility. For more than 20 years, Parks has collected and mulched trees to help planting beds and community gardens around the city grow. Mulch maintains the health of our trees and plants citywide by deterring weeds, retaining moisture, preventing compaction, adding nutrients to the soil, and keeping roots warm. In recent years, Parks has mulched between 25,000 and 30,000 on average annually, with over 42,000 mulched during Mulchfest 2024.

HISTORY OF MULCHFEST:
Mulchfest began in 1988 when the Park Slope Civic Council launched the concept of "tree-cycling." At the time, recycling was gaining traction in the community, making it the perfect moment for such an initiative. The civic council partnered with a tree company to donate a chipper for the event, and trees were brought in by the Council and the Boy Scouts. The mulch created was used to enrich the trees in Prospect Park. By 1990, the event had become a beloved tradition, with 600 trees being chipped. Today, Mulchfest Mulchfest is a citywide event hosted at 75 sites.