SUSTAINABILITY
At the Heart of Everything We Do
As a nursery, we believe that growing trees should go hand in hand with nurturing the land they grow in. From our day-to-day operations to the wider influence we have within the horticultural industry, we are dedicated to setting an example of responsible, forward-thinking tree production.
Our founder, Philip, is an active voice in the industry, regularly speaking at events and using our platforms to advocate for more sustainable approaches across the sector. But beyond this, we embed sustainability into every aspect of our operational nursery, ensuring that our practices work in harmony with the environment.
HTA Sustainability Partner
We are one of only a handful of nurseries in the UK to be recognised as a HTA Sustainability Partner & Reference Site, demonstrating our commitment to best practices.
Beyond our environmental efforts, we also prioritise social responsibility, ensuring all our staff are paid the Living Wage and treated with the same care and respect we give to the land we work with.
Our Belief
We believe that sustainability is not just a box to tick, it’s our ongoing responsibility.
Through innovation, careful land stewardship, and a commitment to doing things the right way, we are proud to be leading the way in sustainable tree production.
For more information or copies of our detailed Environmental Action plan and Sustainability Policy documents please contact us.
Harnessing Natural Resources
Our nursery is powered by renewable energy, with solar panels providing a sustainable electricity source.
We also have a rainwater harvesting system, reducing our reliance on mains water and ensuring an efficient, closed-loop irrigation system.
100% Peat-free
We are proudly peat-free, recognising the environmental damage caused by peat extraction and choosing sustainable alternatives instead. Our tree-growing process prioritises natural resilience, with no pesticides used on our trees. While we currently use glyphosate for weed management, we are seeking viable chemical-free alternatives.
Minimising Waste & Plastic Use
We keep plastic use to an absolute minimum, favouring reusable Air-Pot containers for our containerised trees. Any materials that do go into the ground on trees that we deliver to our customers, such as tree wraps and ties, are fully biodegradable.
Biodiversity
Unlike many traditional land management practices, we avoid cutting hedges unnecessarily, allowing them to provide shelter and food for wildlife.
We allow natural wildflower meadows to grow around the nursery as we only cut the grass around the trees. And we’ve installed bird, bat and owl boxes around the nursery. Our commitment to habitat preservation ensures that our nursery is not just a place for growing trees but also a thriving ecosystem.
We have our own rewilding program. This 20-acre slice of “relaxed” South Devon land stands as a living example of just how fast nature can recover its delicate balance.
Soil Health
Soil is now being recognised as an incredibly complex organism rather than just “dirt”. We now understand that it’s filled with life that contributes to its health, nutrients, and structure such as fungi, earthworms, microorganisms, etc.
Our primary focus is the preservation of the soil structure, as this is what keeps it healthy and alive.
We favour hand-planting all our young trees and we avoid driving around the fields with heavy machinery which would compact the soil, damaging its structure and health.
Each of our fields are cleared of trees every five years, marking the end of a growing cycle. After which we plant a powerful nitrogen fixing clover mix. Reintroducing this excellent natural source of nitrogen while the field is resting replenishes the soil, thus supporting the growth of our young trees in the next growing cycle.
