Denbighshire

Denbighshire County Tree Nursery: Growing for the Future
Denbighshire County Tree Nursery is helping to restore local biodiversity by growing thousands of native trees and wildflowers. Established to address the shortage of local provenance plants, the nursery supports rewilding efforts while engaging the community in conservation work.

Creating a Sustainable Nursery
Denbighshire County Council wanted to develop a nursery that could supply the trees and plants needed for biodiversity restoration across the county. With no suitable suppliers available, they repurposed a two-acre plot from a former county farm. This initiative also aims to educate residents about local wildlife and encourage participation in conservation efforts.

Developing the Site
Between April 2022 and March 2023, the nursery underwent significant development. Key improvements included:

• Installing additional water storage to increase supply to 50,000 litres.
• Adding a third polytunnel and extra storage facilities.
• Purchasing a hydraulic seed-sowing machine and secure fencing to protect against deer and rabbits.
• Installing a walk-in fridge for seed stratification and storage.
• Creating large composting bays and acquiring machinery to maintain the site.

These developments have ensured that the nursery operates efficiently and can meet the growing demand for native plants.

Successful Growth and Future Planning
In the 2022–23 season, the nursery produced over 10,000 trees and 10,000 wildflowers. Many of these were planted across Denbighshire in the autumn. However, the process of growing trees and wildflowers takes time. Some species require over a year of cold storage before germination, meaning long-term planning is essential.

Overcoming Challenges
One of the biggest challenges was securing a reliable water supply without depending on costly mains water. The nursery expanded its rainwater collection system and sourced water from a nearby stream. Future expansions will need further water storage solutions to ensure sustainability.

Community Involvement and Impact
Volunteers play a vital role in the tree nursery’s success. They help with all stages of the process, from collecting seeds in autumn to planting and maintaining the trees in spring and summer. Many volunteers live in areas where the trees will be planted, fostering a strong sense of ownership and connection to local green spaces.

Schools and community groups have also engaged with the nursery, providing valuable learning opportunities. Participants have expressed how rewarding it is to contribute to environmental restoration.

A Greener Future
The Denbighshire County Tree Nursery is proving that local, community-led conservation efforts can have a lasting impact. By growing native plants and involving the community, it is helping to create a more resilient and biodiverse environment for future generations.