The city’s Christmas tree recycling initiative has experienced a noticeable drop in the number of evergreens collected this year compared to the last. Officials attribute this decline to unfavorable weather conditions and the size of the trees.
During “Mulchfest,” over 46,000 fragrant trees were chipped and sent home with eco-conscious New Yorkers for use in their gardens and plant sanctuaries.
Although this figure is down from a record 52,000 in 2025, it’s not something to stress about, according to Parks Deputy Commissioner Mark Vogt.
“We’re very pleased with how many people participated this year,” Vogt mentioned.
“It’s really the experience for the public that counts. What’s important is that these trees don’t end up in landfills but are repurposed as mulch, which we can use in parks or the public can use for their street trees, gardens, or even, I suppose, to make a nice potpourri for their sock drawers.”
Last year’s 2025 collection set a record for the most trees recycled in a typical year.
For 2023, a peak of 58,000 trees was recorded after the city finalized contracts with vendors who had trees they couldn’t sell in a year of high prices.
This year, New Yorkers faced a similar pricing landscape, though it didn’t reach the staggering $300 of two years back.
While some sellers were pushing trees for around $200, the average price hovered closer to $119, as noted by Gothamist.
Unfavorable weather during the last weekend of the season’s main event, featuring games and hot chocolate, likely kept some people away from checking out the trees.
Nonetheless, this year’s total surpasses the 42,000 trees recycled two years ago in 2024.
“It’s such a lovely event. I look forward to it every year, and yes, my colleagues might roll their eyes at me, but I think it’s just the best-smelling occasion. It really is fun,” Vogt remarked.
“It’s wonderful to see families and the different ways they carry their trees—some in shopping carts, others with little kids hauling their Charlie Brown trees. It’s a heartwarming event that’s family-friendly, fun, and good for the environment.”
This year, Brooklyn again took the top spot for the most mulched trees.
About 3,000 visitors enjoyed this experience in Prospect Park, where the “Tree Cycling” initiative originated in 1988, eventually evolving into the celebratory multi-fest.
Marine Park in southern Brooklyn followed closely behind, recycling 2,300 Christmas trees into mulch.
However, Randall’s Island led the way, recycling around 9,000 trees—many of which Vogt noted were donated by vendors unable to deliver in time for the holidays.
The positive takeaway is that even if you missed the multi-fest festivities, most discarded Christmas trees across the five boroughs are still recycled in one way or another.
Each year, the Sanitation Department collects piles of evergreens left at curbs, along with old plants and landscaping materials, and turns them into compost.
And if you didn’t get a chance to attend this year’s Mulch Fest, you can still pick up some mulch; there’s a sizable pile available at Marine Park, as Vogt shared.
