Recycle Your Christmas Tree During NYC's Annual MulchFest

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Now that the holiday season is over, it's time to take down the Christmas tree, but that doesn't mean you have to throw it in the trash. New York City parks are offering free tree recycling  this weekend.

You can bring your tree to designated parks and have it turned into mulch to be used to nourish parks and plants citywide.

Just bring your tree to a chipping location on Jan. 7 or Jan. 8 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and crews will chip your tree and give you your own bag of mulch to take own.

There is also curbside collection of trees until Jan. 14.

Make sure to remove all ornaments and lights before dropping off your tree.

Even the city's most famous tree won't go to waste. The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree will be used for lumber for Habitat for Humanity houses once it's taken down this weekend.

The city says nearly 17,000 trees were recycled last year. For more information about MulchFest or to find a chipping location near you, click here.