Thousands of the discarded festive trees are being buried along the Fylde coast, with hopes they will help form new sand dunes. Lancashire Wildlife Trust (LWT) say that as the wind blows the trees - which were donated by residents - will trap sand and gradually create new dunes helping to prevent further erosion.
They also say the trees - which were planted by LWT volunteers - will help create a "defensive barrier" against tides, sand, and wind protecting homes and roads and the local nature reserve.
Lancashire Wildlife Trust’s Fylde Sand Dunes Project Senior Engagement Officer, Amy Pennington said: “Christmas trees, donated by you, are strategically placed in front of our existing dunes.
“As the wind blows, the branches of the trees trap sand, gradually creating new dunes. The sand dunes along the Fylde coast are home to a diverse and specialised ecosystem, hosting a variety of unique plants and animals.
"A Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), they play a crucial role in providing habitat for flora and fauna of international and national importance. Additionally, they serve as an effective soft sea defence for our local community.
“Sadly, over the past 150 years, we've lost more than 80 per cent of our dunes due to coastal town expansion. The Fylde Sand Dunes Project, aims to restore and conserve these dunes by growing them seawards to enhance their effectiveness as a natural sea defence."
The charity is encouraging more locals to donate their old trees at several locations across the country as three further planting days are planned. The charity's planting of Christmas trees is an annual event which first started in 2013.
It is funded by the Environment Agency and last year over 2,000 trees were donated. The charity also say they have witnessed an impressive 90-metre increase in the width of the Fylde Sand Dune system due to the scheme.
Drop off locations can be found here: https://www.lancswt.org.uk/christmas-tree-planting-2026
1. Volunteers planting trees on the Fylde coastline. // Incredible pictures show thousands of donated Christmas trees lining a coastline in an attempt to slow down coastal erosion. The once festive trees have been spotted half-buried in the sand along Fylde Coast, in Lancashire, with hopes they will create new sand dunes. Lancashire Wildlife Trust (LWT) say that as the wind blows the trees - which were donated by residents - will trap sand and gradually create new dunes helping to prevent further erosion. They also say the trees - which were planted by LWT volunteers - will help create a "defensive barrier" against tides, sand, and wind protecting homes and roads and the local nature reserve.
Lancashire Wildlife Trust / SWNS
2. Trees waiting to be planted. // Incredible pictures show thousands of donated Christmas trees lining a coastline in an attempt to slow down coastal erosion. The once festive trees have been spotted half-buried in the sand along Fylde Coast, in Lancashire, with hopes they will create new sand dunes. Lancashire Wildlife Trust (LWT) say that as the wind blows the trees - which were donated by residents - will trap sand and gradually create new dunes helping to prevent further erosion. They also say the trees - which were planted by LWT volunteers - will help create a "defensive barrier" against tides, sand, and wind protecting homes and roads and the local nature reserve.
Lancashire Wildlife Trust / SWNS
3. Fylde sand dunes. // Incredible pictures show thousands of donated Christmas trees lining a coastline in an attempt to slow down coastal erosion. The once festive trees have been spotted half-buried in the sand along Fylde Coast, in Lancashire, with hopes they will create new sand dunes. Lancashire Wildlife Trust (LWT) say that as the wind blows the trees - which were donated by residents - will trap sand and gradually create new dunes helping to prevent further erosion. They also say the trees - which were planted by LWT volunteers - will help create a "defensive barrier" against tides, sand, and wind protecting homes and roads and the local nature reserve.
Lancashire Wildlife Trust / SWNS
4. Volunteers planting trees on the Fylde coastline. // Incredible pictures show thousands of donated Christmas trees lining a coastline in an attempt to slow down coastal erosion. The once festive trees have been spotted half-buried in the sand along Fylde Coast, in Lancashire, with hopes they will create new sand dunes. Lancashire Wildlife Trust (LWT) say that as the wind blows the trees - which were donated by residents - will trap sand and gradually create new dunes helping to prevent further erosion. They also say the trees - which were planted by LWT volunteers - will help create a "defensive barrier" against tides, sand, and wind protecting homes and roads and the local nature reserve.
Lancashire Wildlife Trust / SWNS
5. Volunteers planting trees on the Fylde coastline. // Incredible pictures show thousands of donated Christmas trees lining a coastline in an attempt to slow down coastal erosion. The once festive trees have been spotted half-buried in the sand along Fylde Coast, in Lancashire, with hopes they will create new sand dunes. Lancashire Wildlife Trust (LWT) say that as the wind blows the trees - which were donated by residents - will trap sand and gradually create new dunes helping to prevent further erosion. They also say the trees - which were planted by LWT volunteers - will help create a "defensive barrier" against tides, sand, and wind protecting homes and roads and the local nature reserve.
Lancashire Wildlife Trust / SWNS
6. Volunteers planting trees on the Fylde coastline. // Incredible pictures show thousands of donated Christmas trees lining a coastline in an attempt to slow down coastal erosion. The once festive trees have been spotted half-buried in the sand along Fylde Coast, in Lancashire, with hopes they will create new sand dunes. Lancashire Wildlife Trust (LWT) say that as the wind blows the trees - which were donated by residents - will trap sand and gradually create new dunes helping to prevent further erosion. They also say the trees - which were planted by LWT volunteers - will help create a "defensive barrier" against tides, sand, and wind protecting homes and roads and the local nature reserve.
Lancashire Wildlife Trust / SWNS