Innovative environmental use for unused Christmas trees

Christmas trees are being used to provide flood defences and protect river banks from erosion in the UK, in an innovative new scheme by the Environment Agency.

Conifers, including Christmas trees, have been donated by the Forestry Commission to line river banks. The aim of the project is to provide an environmentally-friendly solution for the protection of the UK's river banks, instead of using traditional manufactured methods.

Tree trunks are used to stabilise the river bank while conifers provide habitat and act as filters, catching silt from the water that would otherwise smother fish eggs, preventing them from hatching. The trees are therefore considered to be a 'softer' and greener alternative.

Mike Farrell, fisheries officer at the Environment Agency, said: "This is the ultimate green gift for people and wildlife living along our rivers. Homes are being protected from flooding whilst new habitats are being created for mammals, fish and invertebrates."

He added: "We hope this innovative use of Christmas trees will have great potential for reducing flood risk."

Posted by Claire Manning