From holiday cheer to environmental care

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The scent of pine lingered in the crisp winter air at Morgan Park on Saturday morning as the City of Glen Cove hosted its annual Chip-A-Tree event, a cherished tradition that transforms discarded Christmas trees into nutrient-rich mulch. Despite the frigid temperatures and a light snowfall, the Glen Cove Beautification Commission, the Department of Public Works, and a group of dedicated volunteers worked tirelessly for three hours, collecting trees and preparing them for the woodchipper. This eco-friendly initiative has closed out the holiday season for decades, reflecting the city’s commitment to sustainability and community beautification.
Tree-cycling, or mulching, is an environmentally conscious way to dispose of old Christmas trees while providing lasting benefits to gardens and green spaces. The mulch, a thick layer of material spread over soil, serves as a natural barrier against weeds, retains moisture, prevents erosion, and regulates soil temperature. This year, the event produced over 50 yards of mulch from more than 325 trees, weighing a total of 17 tons. The mulch will soon be distributed across Glen Cove’s parks and flowerbeds, nourishing the soil and enhancing the city’s natural beauty.
The event operated smoothly as a steady stream of cars arrived at the Morgan Park parking lot, where volunteers swiftly unloaded trees and fed them into the industrial woodchipper. Each drop-off was quick and efficient, ensuring residents could easily participate in this community-driven effort.
“Residents should feel rewarded because the trees they drop off are not just discarded but turned into mulch, which is returned back to the earth,” said Dr. Eve Lupenko-Ferrante, a board member of the Beautification Commission. “Each year, a different location is chosen to be the recipient of this natural soil benefit.”
Among the participants was Katherine Obermeyer, a two-year Glen Cove resident who brought her Christmas tree for recycling for the second consecutive year. “I love being able to recycle my tree,” Obermeyer shared. “It’s wonderful knowing it’s being put to good use in our community.”
The Chip-A-Tree event highlights the city’s dedication to environmental stewardship while fostering a sense of community pride. As the mulch finds its way into parks and gardens across Glen Cove, residents can take satisfaction in knowing their trees have been repurposed to benefit the city’s green spaces for months to come.