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Beyond the Baubles

30th January 2024

This year, the Goodwood Estate Team provided locally grown Christmas trees to families and employees, spreading the Christmas spirit across the estate. However, rather than becoming another waste product of the festive season, these trees have been collected to be recycled and mulched, enriching the health of the soil.

sustainability

Once decorated with ornaments and lights, the recycled Christmas trees are finding a second life in various sustainable initiatives on the estate. The trees will be mulched along with other wood waste products and will then be used to spread on the roots of new trees across the Estate, forming a rich layer of wood chip mulch that serves multiple environmental functions.

One of the key advantages of using wood chips, such as those derived from recycled Christmas trees, lies in their ability to nourish the soil and subsequently, the trees themselves. A thick layer of wood chips near the roots helps regulate the temperature, offering protection during the extremes of summer heat and winter cold snaps. This natural insulation keeps the soil cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, creating an optimal environment for tree growth.

Additionally, wood chips play a crucial role in moisture regulation. By preventing water from evaporating from the soil, the protective layer of wood chips conserves water and reduces the frequency of plant watering. This not only promotes water efficiency but also helps prevent drought stress in trees.

The use of wood chips also eliminates the need for chemical inputs. As they decompose, wood chips naturally feed the soil, negating the requirement for artificial chemicals. While chemical fertilisers may offer immediate benefits, the long-term harm they can cause to the environment is avoided through this sustainable practice. A layer of wood chips also prevents damage to tree trunks from mowers or string trimmers. Since wood chips suppress weed growth, there is no need for close proximity of mowers and trimmers to the trunk, minimising the risk of damage that could impact the overall health of the trees.

In contrast to other types of mulch that may become hydrophobic and impede water absorption, wood chips maintain a porous structure that allows water to flow easily through the groundcover. This ensures that the trees receive the necessary hydration for sustained growth without hindrance.

Rather than succumbing to a one-time use fate in a landfill, our retired Christmas trees positively contribute to the estate's ecological health and the cycle of growth, giving and recycling is a tradition Goodwood would like to continue for years to come.

sustainability

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