As autumn fades and the cold sets in, life at New Wood Trees shifts completely.
The lush, green calm of summer gives way to a flurry of muddy boots, root balls, and busy days. It’s the start of winter at the nursery, a season that looks and feels completely different, but one we look forward to every year.
We always say we’ve got two different nurseries; the summer nursery and the winter nursery. Because they’re like two entirely different worlds.
In this video Philip explains what we’re up to in the nursery during the autumn/winter months, and how working life changes for us as the seasons change:.
A sensory journey through the month
November feels:
- Wet!
- Slippery under our wheels
- Golden and warm in low glowing sunlight (between the rainfall)
November sounds like:
- Our new rootball machine whirring and easily slipping through the ground and roots as it goes
- Canopies rustling as we tie them up
- Rain beating the ground in fierce downpours
- Wellies squelching in the mud
As the seasons change
In summer, we spend our days pruning, shaping, and caring for the trees under warm skies and long evenings. It’s the time of year when everything looks lush, green, and full of energy.
Then autumn rolls in, the leaves begin to fall, and everything changes. The trees start to shut down and go dormant and that’s our cue to shift gears. Winter is when the hard graft begins: rain, mud, digging, and moving trees ready for their new homes.
While many nurseries grow trees in containers and keep a similar rhythm all year round, our field-grown trees means there’s a very clear division between the growing season and the lifting season, and that makes each half of the year feel distinct.
Digging season begins
Right now, the main job is digging our beautiful multi-stem trees out of the ground for our customers. We use a rootballing machine, which allows us to lift each tree carefully with its roots and soil intact.
That rootball is everything. It’s the living foundation of the tree, packed with the fine fibrous roots that ensure it can thrive once it’s replanted. Without that healthy mass of roots, a tree simply wouldn’t survive.
And we have a wonderful new rootballing machine which glides through its work effortlessly, allowing us to be much more productive.
Preparing trees for transport
Once lifted, we tie up the canopies to protect the branches from damage in transit. It’s a small detail that makes a big difference once the trees are loaded and on their way.
Customer visits to choose their trees
This is also the time when many customers visit the nursery to tag trees for specific projects. It’s always great to see familiar faces, walk the rows together, and help people handpick exactly what they need.
It’s a busy, exciting time
The yard is buzzing now, trees coming in from the fields, others heading out on lorries, logistics to coordinate, deliveries to schedule. It’s one of the busiest and most rewarding times of the year for us.
Winter might be wet and muddy, but it’s also when all the care and effort we’ve put in over the summer really pays off. This is when our trees leave the nursery and start their next chapter in new gardens and landscapes across the country.
Useful tips for planting & watering your trees
At New Wood Trees, we are committed to promoting the health and longevity of your newly planted trees. If you’re unsure how about how best to plant your tree, please watch these useful videos for our top tips:
Our commitment to quality & sustainability
At the heart of everything we do is a steadfast commitment to quality and sustainability. Every tree in our nursery is grown with meticulous care, ensuring it meets the highest standards before it’s ready to leave us. But quality doesn’t stop at their appearance, it’s about cultivating healthy, resilient trees that thrive in their new environments. Sustainability is equally integral to our approach. From using eco-friendly practices in our day-to-day operations to prioritizing the health of our soil and biodiversity, we are dedicated to ensuring our nursery not only provides for today but protects the environment for generations to come. For us, nurturing trees goes hand in hand with nurturing the planet.
More Information
Learn More about how we grow our artisan, sculpted, multi-stem trees.
or Contact Us to discuss your specific needs.