Step 1: Planning and research

Purpose and vision

Start by speaking with your community, doing some research and creating a simple plan for your nursery.
Think about why your nursery is needed, who it will support, where your trees will be planted, and which local species to grow.
Decide how many trees you hope to produce, the growing methods you’ll use, and how you’ll keep the site safe with good biosecurity – this depends on who you plan to give your trees to.
Next, work out the timeframes for delivering your project, including what can be done now and what may come later. Remember, many nurseries take a phased approach and grow their plans over several years.

When choosing your nursery’s location, check that you have long-term permission to use the site and that it’s easy to access on foot and by vehicle.
Assess the site conditions, including soil, aspect and water supply – young trees need plenty of clean water.
Work out how much space you’ll need to grow the number of trees you have in mind and whether you’ll require any covered areas such as a polytunnel or greenhouse for young trees or volunteers.
Remember that your site size will determine your growing capacity: container-grown trees typically need 1 m² for every 130–240 plants, while bare-root beds can hold around 40–80 plants per m².
Think about any risks such as grazing animals, seed predators or vandalism.
Create a simple site plan showing growing beds (or for larger ventures even a polytunnel), volunteer facilities, storage areas, protection such as fencing, and a wash station for boots and tools to support good biosecurity.

Next, think about how you’ll fund your nursery and keep it sustainable in the long term.
Start by creating a budget that covers both set-up costs and ongoing running costs, and list the materials and equipment you’ll need—upcycled or donated items can help, but always consider biosecurity.
Look for suitable funding sources, including start-up grants, and think about any income streams that could support your nursery.
Speak to other community tree nurseries and find out what costs they have incurred to help you shape your project.

Decide who will lead the CTN, what tasks volunteers will take on, and the minimum hours you need each week—this will change with the seasons.
Create simple job lists to help volunteers settle into routines, and remember to consider safeguarding and accessibility.
When recruiting, reach out to local groups and organisations who may want to be involved, taking into account health and safety considerations
Identify any training needs, such as species-specific guidance, pest awareness or wellbeing activities, and plan sessions to support volunteers.