Christmas Trees Bolster UK Coastline Against Rising Sea Levels and Storm Surges

As winter storms intensify along the Irish Sea, a unique coastal defense strategy is taking root in Lancashire, England. Tens of thousands of recycled Christmas trees are being used to rebuild and reinforce sand dunes, protecting communities from erosion and flooding. This initiative, spearheaded by the Lancashire Wildlife Trust, demonstrates a proactive approach to mitigating the impacts of climate change and rising sea levels.

The Threat to Coastal Dunes

Coastal dunes provide a natural barrier against the sea, absorbing wave energy and preventing erosion. However, these vital ecosystems are increasingly vulnerable. According to recent studies, Britain has lost approximately 30 percent of its dunes since the 20th century, coinciding with a 19.5-centimeter rise in sea levels . Notably, two-thirds of this sea level rise has occurred in the last 30 years, exceeding the global average.

Amy Pennington, Fylde Sand Dunes Community Engagement Officer for Lancashire Wildlife Trust, explains that increasing storm surges are accelerating dune erosion, putting coastal settlements at risk. “We see that storm surge pushes the tide much further up the beach so that the dunes are increasingly washed away,” she states .

The Christmas Tree Solution

The innovative project began in 1994 with volunteers digging up old Christmas trees along Lancashire beaches. As sea levels continue to rise, the project has expanded significantly. Each February, volunteers gather to partially bury donated Christmas trees in shallow trenches along the coastline.

These trees are often supplemented with mare straw – a coarse tall grass with extensive root systems (reaching up to 100 meters long) – to aid stabilize them. Over time, the trees and straw decompose, contributing to the formation of new sand dunes that offer protection against storms and flooding.

The Fylde Coast Project and Community Involvement

The Fylde Sand Dunes Project was formally established in 2008 by the Wildlife Trust, with support from the Norwegian Environment Agency . In February 2026, 650 volunteers participated in burying approximately 2,000 Christmas trees near Blackpool . The trees are sourced from across the Lancashire district.

Pennington emphasizes the long-term nature of the project. “The new dunes can be around three meters high, and will withstand storms and storms ‘hopefully indefinitely’,” she says. She also anticipates a shift in strategy as sea levels continue to rise, focusing on building dunes higher rather than further out to sea.

Adapting to a Changing Climate

Recognizing that the current efforts will eventually be overtaken by rising tides, the Lancashire Wildlife Trust is prepared to adapt. “We will eventually get to a point where the tide will regularly meet the work we have done, so that it will be swept away,” Pennington explains. “That means not that we must stop building them out. We just want to start building them up again.”

This ongoing commitment highlights the importance of community-based initiatives in addressing the challenges posed by climate change and protecting vulnerable coastal areas.