Although, there was no official Holiday Tree lighting event on Mosholu Parkway this year to reduce the risk of COVID-19, the tree lighting company made a low-key visit in mid-December to install the lights on the big blue spruce on Bainbridge Avenue and Mosholu Parkway, providing some sense of normalcy in what has otherwise been a wholly abnormal year.

 

Before the snow fell, our photographer, Miriam Quinoñes, snapped these shots of the tree and adjacent holiday display which was sponsored by Bronx Community Board 7, and organized by Friends of Mosholu Parkland (FOMP), delighting young and old alike.

 

Some of those gathered at the tree told Miriam they did not wish to have their picture taken nor give their names but said they missed the tree lighting ceremony and festival that’s held each year. One woman who did agree to be photographed, together with a little boy, said she lives a block away from the site and that they take a walk by the tree whenever they can as the little boy loves it. Another little boy asked if Santa was coming with toys.

FOMP are encouraging community members to take a (socially distant) walk among the trees over the holiday season and beyond, and take in the benefits of nature as a way to decompress after a stressful year. The group also suggests that planting a tree could be a unique, sustainable Christmas gift idea. The idea behind the “Treecember” campaign is to plant trees on behalf of family and friends, while at the same time supporting a healthier planet for biodiversity. One dollar plants one tree.

 

The group is also on the look out for those who enjoy working with their hands in order to create outdoor art over the course of next year, using fallen branches and twigs from Mosholu Parkland. Anyone interested can reach out to the group via Facebook.

Of course, some tree lighting events did go ahead in December in other parts of the borough amid mixed reaction from residents, given the rising cases of COVID-19 and the worrying increase in hospitalizations statewide. On Dec. 24, hospitalizations stood at just under 7,000, of which 1,160 were in the ICU, and 621 were intubated in the ICU, a point highlighted by Gov. Andrew Cuomo during his COVID briefing. Meanwhile, as of Dec. 24, statewide, there were 129 fatalities reported and the 7-day positivity rate was 5.55 percent. There are currently 2,387 people hospitalized in New York City, a number which accounts for close to a third of the city’s hospital bed capacity.

 

“We have nine days left in the holiday season and today, 299 days into the COVID crisis, it is more important than ever for New Yorkers to stay smart and tough,” the governor said. “We are rapidly distributing the vaccine to the most vulnerable New Yorkers and frontline heroes, but COVID continues to spread at high rates throughout the nation and we cannot let our guard down even for a moment. The holiday season is normally a time for celebration, but this year is different – we must celebrate smart, and not allow COVID to be the grinch that results in increased viral spread as a result of the holidays.”

Meanwhile, New York City Department of Sanitation has announced its annual curbside collection of Christmas trees, which officials said usually results in around 200,000 trees being collected for “tree-cycling” each year. Residents should put their trees out curbside starting Monday, Jan. 4, 2021. Collection runs through Friday, Jan. 15, weather permitting. The department reminds New Yorkers that the trees are collected in separate tree trucks, so residents will see their trash, recycling and trees collected at different times.

 

Community members should remove all stands, tinsel, lights, ornaments and bags before putting their trees out for collection. “Patience is appreciated after placing the tree curbside, as collection may not occur immediately; trees are collected together, with other trees, and the department scouts trees at the curb to make efficient routes,” the press release read.

After pick up, the Christmas trees will be chipped, mixed with leaves, and recycled into compost for the city’s parks, institutions and community gardens. The department said anyone needing to get rid of mostly plastic and metal artificial Christmas trees should consider selling or donating them. Donation opportunities can be found at nyc.gov/donate.

 

Otherwise, if possible, the department suggests taking the tree apart to recycle the base and trunk (pole) with metal, glass, plastic and cartons. Similarly, Lights, ornaments and tinsel should be removed before placing the trees at the curb.

As an alternative to leaving trees curbside, the New York City Parks department is running the second MulchFest season which runs from Dec. 26 through Jan. 9. With 67 drop-off sites across the five boroughs, including at parks and GreenThumb gardens, 33 of which are chipping sites, New Yorkers can also drop off holiday trees at these sites which are then chipped and recycled.

 

The mulch is used to nourish city trees and plants. Following last year’s success, Parks is once again inviting New Yorkers to actively mulch their holiday trees on two consecutive Saturdays – Jan. 2 and Jan. 9. Residents who bring their trees and a bag to a chipping site can watch their tree being chipped, and bring their own nutrient-rich mulch home with them.

 

For more information on Christmas tree collection and recycling or MulchFest, visit www.nyc.gov/dsny, www.nyc.gov/parks or call 311.

 

Of course, for those who may prefer the indoors, there is also the option of decorating The Bronx Terminal Market virtual tree with some festive photos of you and your family.