About - Rymer Trees and Hedging

Who We Are

A passion project, grown into something real

Rymer Trees and Hedging is a passion project for our directors, who all have their own expertise and experience in arboriculture, horticulture and farming. The need for woody stock produced in the UK is becoming more apparent, whether for biosecurity reasons, or just political.

The team recognised this and wanted to act upon it - to make sure there is good quality, responsibly sourced woody stock to fulfil the many planting projects taking place across the UK. It is essential to all involved that the stock is produced in a responsible way, ensuring the plants all get given the best chance to do good.

We don't just want to see things planted, we want them established. At RTH, we are proud to say we are a wholly peat-free nursery grpowing from scratch in the UK.

Hardening-off area (with dog)

What Drives Us

Our values

100% Peat-Free

We were at the forefront of wholly peat-free tree whip production in England. Every tree we grow uses sustainable, environmentally responsible compost. We have continued this approach with our newer containerised range.

Cell-Grown Excellence

Our cell-grown approach produces superior root systems, extended planting windows, reduced labour and exceptional establishment rates that our customers rely on. Seeing how important root development is for establishment, we use the AirPot® system to encourage robust root growth for our containerised stock.

Fully Traceable

Grown from scratch in Suffolk. Every plant is fully traceable from sowing through to dispatch - vital for biosecurity and our Plant Healthy certification.

Our Credentials

Certified to the highest standards

Our certifications aren't just badges - they represent our commitment to responsible, sustainable, and traceable tree production.

Plant Healthy

PHCS 0041. The UK's leading plant biosecurity certification, assuring customers that our trees meet the highest standards of health and traceability.

UKISG Assured

Assured by The Woodland Trust's UK and Ireland Sourced and Grown scheme - guaranteeing our trees are genuinely grown from seed in the UK.

FRM Registered

Forest Reproductive Material registration ensures full traceability of seed origin - essential for government-funded woodland creation schemes.

The People

Meet the team

Seven people and two very important dogs, all working to grow trees that make a difference.

The Team

Harry Hoblyn

From a horti/agri family, Harry retrained in horticulture after a brief flirtation with computing. He's been convinced that cell-grown, peat-free trees are the future since his time with the National Trust, and built Rymer Trees around that belief. When not at the nursery, he's usually in a stream or up a tree. Current favourite: Holm Oak.

Lizzie Smith

A Zoology graduate who grew up in the Suffolk countryside and never lost her pull towards the natural world. When the chance to grow trees under Suffolk skies came along, Lizzie didn't hesitate. Favourite tree: Rowan - for its autumn colour, its leaf shape.

Hector Loft

Arrived for casual holiday work after university in Bangor - and like Lizzie, never quite left. His zoology background transfers well to the world of plants and fungi. Currently nurturing a Salix alba that Harry found growing as a weed, and working on brokering a friendship between Maple and his Leonberger, Milton.

Becky

Bio coming soon.

The Real Bosses

Maple

Yellow Labrador. Officially responsible for small mammal pest control. In practice, only catches things that are already dead. Hoping to move into sales, but Harry says she has to stop jumping up first. Favourite trees: the little green ones Harry's Nanna feeds her under the table. (They're broccoli.)

Rubble

Bio coming soon.

Directors

Rory Hobbs

Started his career in arboriculture in New Zealand's South Island before becoming a freelance climber, then running his own consultancy specialising in commercial tree risk management. Joined Rymer Trees because he couldn't reliably source quality peat-free stock for his clients. Favourite tree: the often overlooked but critically important Salix alba.

Tom Hoblyn

Trained at the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew after years working on farms, nurseries and private gardens across the south of England. An award-winning garden designer now based in Suffolk, where he's restoring his own natural wetland. Joined Rymer Trees as climate change and import restrictions began to bite. Favourite tree: Common Myrtle - for the Mediterranean holidays.

Toby Rush

Third-generation farmer in East Anglia, specialising in free-range egg production and arable crops. Has planted woodland on his land over the years and grew frustrated at how hard it had become to source trees within the UK - so decided to do something about it. Favourite tree: Eucalyptus. He knows. But South Africa left its mark.

Seasonal Workers

The wider team

We're fortunate to have a brilliant network of seasonal workers who play a vital role in keeping the nursery running. They turn their hands to everything - sowing, transplanting, packing, seed cleaning, weeding and more - often in conditions that are less than comfortable. We're extremely grateful for their hard work and dedication, and the nursery simply wouldn't function without them.

Our Story