NEW YORK, NY January 04, 2008 —REPORTER: Through January 16th, the Sanitation Department is collecting clean Christmas trees left curbside. Clean trees means no lights, ornaments or stands.

This weekend, the Parks Department is sponsoring "Mulchfest." City residents can bring their trees to sites in all 5 boroughs to grind them into wood chips.

Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe says mulch is great for gardening in the winter.

BENEPE: You can bring a bag and take home as much mulch as you'd like. Smells delicious. Spread it on shrub beds, it produces a nice blanket for the winter to moderate the soil temperature, it helps retain moisture, while slowly adding nutrients to the soils.

REPORTER: To find a "Mulchfest" site near you, visit www.nyc.gov.