How do you say "chipper" in Japanese?
Richmond is about to find out. A Tokyo-based television network plans to film "Bring One for the Chipper, 2010," an event scheduled by the city on Saturday to encourage residents throughout the Richmond area to bring their discarded Christmas trees for recycling into landscaping mulch.
N.H.K. Japan Broadcasting Corp., Japan's largest public television network, is sending a New York-based news crew to the event, scheduled for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Parker Field Annex.
The Department of Public Works is sponsoring the event, which will feature city and private arborists, as well as the Richmond Tree Stewards, to answer people's questions about proper planting, pruning, and care of trees. Truetimber Tree Service, based in South Richmond, is donating 200 seedlings
The city is inviting residents of surrounding jurisdictions to bring their Christmas trees for recycling, and asking for volunteers from Richmond public middle and high schools. Six cadets from John Marshall High School already have volunteered, the city said.
N.H.K. is filming the event as an example for its Tokyo viewers of how some American cities are trying to be more eco-friendly, the public works department said. The program is expected to air in Japan to at least 19 million viewers, as well as North Americans who subscribe to the channel.
In addition to this weekend's event, residents can drop off their trees for recycling anytime this week at the East Richmond Convenience Center at 3800 E. Richmond Road, and the Richmond Southside Transfer Station at 3520 N. Hopkins Road.

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