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Christmas Trees Rebuild UK Coastline
6 Sep
Summary
- Discarded Christmas trees are used to build sand dunes and protect homes.
- The project has increased dune width by 90 meters since 2013.
- Dunes act as a natural sea defense, absorbing storm energy.
Discarded Christmas trees are playing a crucial role in bolstering coastal defenses along the Fylde Coast in Lancashire, UK. Since the Fylde Sand Dunes Project commenced in 2013, these trees have been strategically placed on St Annes beach to accumulate wind-blown sand, thereby aiding in the expansion of sand dunes.
This collaborative effort, involving Fylde Council, Lancashire Wildlife Trust, and Blackpool Council, is funded by the Environment Agency. The method involves positioning trees to slow wind and trap sand. As sand collects, it forms mounds that can develop into new dunes, enhancing the coastline's natural resilience.
The project has yielded visible results, with over 2,000 trees collected last year contributing to a 90-meter increase in the sand dune system's width. These growing dunes, a natural defense, help absorb sea energy and reduce erosion risk, a critical function given that over 80% of the original dunes were lost over the past 150 years.
As of September 6, 2026, the Fylde Sand Dunes are recognized as a Biological Heritage Site and a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). They host a diverse array of specialized flora and fauna adapted to the unique dune environment. Ongoing volunteer efforts include planting grasses and creating wetland areas to further support biodiversity and coastal protection.
