A cell-grown tree is a tree grown in an individual cell within a rigid tray, and sold without the pot. The roots and compost form a compact, self-contained plug that is easy to handle and plant. Our trees are grown using peat-free compost with a small amount of slow-release fertiliser. We grow from seed and cuttings right here at our nursery in Barnham, Suffolk.
No - cell-grown trees require no special treatment and are actually more tolerant than bare-root trees. They arrive with their compost intact around the roots, so there's no need to soak or rush to plant. They're well suited to variable conditions and can sit at the edge of a field until you're ready.
For our forestry and hedging stock, we generally aim for 20 - 60cm in height, though this varies with the growing season. Our containerised range includes 2, 3 and 5-litre trees, which are larger. Many customers find that smaller stock is actually easier to handle and roots in faster - don't assume bigger is always better.
One of the big advantages of cell-grown trees is an extended planting window. Because they come with compost around their roots, they're not restricted to the traditional November - March bare-root season. We'd suggest early autumn through to early summer as a guide - though planters have had success as late as July. It's weather-dependent, so if in doubt, give us a call.
Yes - we grow both woodland species and hedging species, and there's a lot of crossover between the two. Many of the species we grow are equally at home as part of a hedgerow or a woodland edge. Browse our Forestry & Hedging stock page to see what's currently available.
The majority of our stock is UK native, and our UKISG certification covers our native, UK-sourced and grown lines. However, we also grow a range of climate-resilient species - including some non-natives - selected for their ability to thrive in the UK's future climate conditions. Our containerised collection in particular has a focus on climate resilience. Ask us if you're looking for specific species.
Ordering & Delivery
Yes, we deliver across the UK. You can also collect directly from the nursery in Barnham, Suffolk - just let us know in advance. Get in touch to discuss delivery options and timings for your order.
Trees are wrapped in a compostable bio-wrap, usually in bundles of 15 (12s for oaks). Smaller orders go in a cardboard box; larger orders go on a pallet with a bio-pallet wrap. Because they're cell-grown, they don't need to be planted immediately - the compost around the roots and the slow-release fertiliser will keep them going while you wait for the right conditions.
Minimum quantities can vary depending on the species and time of year. Get in touch to discuss what you need and we'll let you know what's possible.
Absolutely - we love showing people around. Just make sure to get in touch in advance to book a visit so we can make sure someone is on hand to show you around properly.
Growing Methods & Certifications
Peat is an organic material formed over thousands of years in boggy, waterlogged conditions. It has traditionally been used as a growing medium in horticulture. The problem is that we extract it far faster than it can regenerate - and peat bogs are among the most important carbon stores on Earth, storing more carbon than all the world's trees combined. We use a coir-based compost instead, which is a by-product of coconut processing. Read more about our peat-free approach.
Plant Healthy (PHCS 0041) is an independent certification scheme that assesses nurseries against best-practice plant health and biosecurity standards. It provides assurance that our stock is traceable, healthy, and produced in a way that minimises the risk of spreading plant pests and diseases. Many government-funded planting schemes and project ecologists now require or prefer Plant Healthy certified suppliers. Find out more.
UKISG stands for UK and Ireland Sourced and Grown - a Woodland Trust scheme that verifies tree stock has genuinely been grown from seed collected and grown in the UK or Ireland. It provides confidence around seed provenance and supports biosecurity by reducing reliance on imported stock. Find out more.
We use Integrated Pest Management (IPM), which means we prioritise biological controls and ecosystem management over chemical treatments. We've had near-zero chemical use since we started. Our natural predator populations are high, and we use introduced beneficial insects and nematodes where needed. Read about our IPM approach.