Christmas trees that make a difference

The rangers at Longshaw have been selling sustainable Christmas trees to the public for many years now, in order to raise vital funds for conservation projects. The funds raised from the tree sales enable the rangers to improve habitats for wildlife, create nest boxes for owls, kestrels and pied flycatchers and supports the development of their native tree nursery; which will eventually provide saplings to plant in the woodlands across the Peak District.

Ranger Chris explains, "purchasing a sustainable tree from us helps to fund work that is directly fighting the adverse effects of climate change. Not only will you have a real Christmas tree in your home throughout the festive season, you will know that your support has enabled the planting of 25 Oak trees in our native clough woodlands, or funded enough sphagnum moss to plant in 3 hectares of moorland that helps in re-wetting the moors and storing carbon, or paid for materials to block  a moorland erosion gully, slowing the flow of water and helping to reduce flooding. Please remember to recycle your tree after Christmas, and turn it into compost – another way of storing carbon."  

This winter the team at Longshaw invite you to join them for some festive cheer when selecting your Christmas tree. When you come to create a family tradition at Longshaw you are helping us to look after this beautiful and dynamic estate and its wildlife for future generations. Longshaw is a place of historical importance to many and after the 1927 appeal to secure the estate’s future – it was firmly placed in people’s memories as the ‘People’s Estate.’

Harry Bowell buys his tree from Longshaw with his family every year without fail, "Longshaw was bought for the nation by people rattling tins for donations in Sheffield nearly 100 years ago. The Trust have been looking after it for many years now along with another 30,000 acres in the Peak District, where the nature, landscape and beauty is loved by hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. Caring for all of this takes money and all funds raised from the sale of Christmas trees gets ploughed back into looking after the Peak – from drystone walls, to the woods in Padley Gorge; from looking after the amazing wildlife on Kinder Scout to teaching kids about nature."

The Longshaw Christmas trees are grown at the estate or at other local nurseries, or are brought in from other sustainably managed UK growers to meet demand, and include Norway Spruce, Fraser Firs, Lodgepole Pine and ‘non-drop’ Nordmann Firs. Ranger Mark and his team will be ready to welcome visitors from Friday 29th Nov – Sun 22nd Dec 10am – 16:00pm in the grounds of the Moorland Discovery Centre in the main Woodcroft car park at Longshaw, more information here. Families wanting to escape the hustle and bustle of Christmas can also join in the festive fun with the Red Deer Trail which runs from Sat 23rd Nov – Weds 1st Jan. The team at Longshaw hope you can join them and wish you all the best for the festive season.