The council have delivered a large load of what looks like shredded xmas trees for use as a mulching agent

Freshly shredded like that I would only use for paths. Even well rotted pine is not really much use for Vegetables as it tends to acidify the soil and most Veg prefer a slightly alkaline soil. Woody material can also take nitrogen out of the soil as it decomposes.

I believe it can have the effect of making your soil more acidic - so I wouldn't be too happy using it.

Snap, Owdboggy! :-)

It is brilliant if you want to mulch your blueberries :o))

I use fresh shreded leylandii as path material. i would not consider using it round plants.