Frequently asked questions

Are you keen to grow trees with your community but not sure where to start? Hopefully Growing Together can help.

For those just starting out and keen to understand what’s involved, first read through the 5-steps to set up a community tree nursery (CTN), focussing especially on Step 1 – Planning & research. Then register your interest to see how The Tree Council can support you to move forward.

For existing community tree nurseries, we will soon be launching a small grants scheme to support the development of your nursery, including a focus on supporting good biosecurity practices. 

Register your interest now to be the first to find out more.

For specific CTN-related enquiries, contact The Tree Council at growingtogether@treecouncil.org.uk.

The Tree Council will soon be launching a small grants scheme to support existing community tree nurseries (CTNs) with a grant to improve or develop their facilities – this will include a specific focus on improving biosecurity practices at your site. 

This is totally up to you and will depend on the reasons for which you are growing your trees. See more details in Step 1 – Planning and research.

Saying that, for schools tree nurseries, we encourage you to aim for around 100 trees grown in your first year and for community sites, around 500 trees. Bear in mind that seed germination rates can be erratic and the process is often a steep learning curve as there are many many variables to consider. The emphasis is on giving it a try, learning as you go and enjoying the journey!

For inspiration and advice, it’s a great idea to connect with another experienced community tree nursery nearby.

Visit the Community Tree Nursery Collaborative webpage, which has useful links to other community tree nurseries across the country.

Or contact The Tree Council at growingtogether@treecouncil.org.uk for more information.

This is the first question you need to ask yourself before setting out on your tree growing journey! There are many reasons you might like to grow trees – to establish a new hedge or small copse in your school grounds, park or village. To grow fruit trees for a community orchard, give them away to local families or residents or provide a source of rare trees which are not easily sourced from commercial tree growers.

Whichever avenue you choose, this will determine which species you grow and make plans for where they are likely to go so that you are not left with young trees with no homes to go to.

We have drafted a CTN project plan template which highlights the steps you need to consider before getting going.

We encourage any community growing initiative to plan where your trees will be planted at the very beginning of your journey (see the Planning your nursery step). You will need to seek permission from landowners to plant trees on their land.

A unique aspect of CTNs is the local community at the heart – local people, grow species from locally sourced seed for local planting projects. You know your community better than anyone. Therefore, we encourage you to reach out to local landowners and make wider community links before you start growing, to establish viable planting sites before you get started on your tree growing journey.

Some CTNs can accept donations of young trees and grow them on. If you are already growing trees and would like to connect with other CTNs, join the Community Tree Nursery Collaborative which offers peer to peer support and a forum to share good practice and consider common issues, challenges and opportunities.

Biosecurity means taking simple steps to help stop pests, diseases and invasive species from spreading. In a tree nursery, it’s about knowing what comes into and out of the nursery and also about keeping your trees, soil, tools and growing area clean, healthy and safe. It’s good practice for every CTN to devise a simple biosecurity plan so everyone involved knows what to do for the best.

  • It protects local woodlands and wildlife: Trees grown in community nurseries are often planted in parks, schools and wild spaces. Healthy, disease-free trees help protect local habitats and biodiversity.
  • It stops problems from spreading: Tree pests and diseases can move easily in soil, water, compost, and on tools, boots and even clothing and vehicles. A few simple precautions can prevent large-scale outbreaks.
  • It supports national tree health: Strong biosecurity helps communities contribute to UK-wide efforts to safeguard tree health and ensure future woods and hedgerows are resilient.

  • Think ‘arrive clean and leave clean’ – Clean boots, gloves and tools before and after working in the nursery and on seed collection excursions.
  • Make sure all volunteers understand the importance of operating in a biosecure way (have signage and wash stations around – and be sure to talk about biosecurity when training people up.
  • Use fresh, reputable compost and seeds.
  • Use clean water and make sure drainage is good so puddles can’t harbour problems.
  • Avoid moving soil or plants between sites .
  • Check young trees regularly for unusual marks, pests or poor growth.
  • Keep new plant material separate until it’s inspected.
  • Keep an eye out for signs of trouble in trees in the area and report any issues you see.

You can find lots of helpful information on how to practice good biosecurity, on the Tree Growers Guide website. The Community Tree Nursery Collaborative also has videos and webinars about biosecurity for CTNs.

Register your interest

If you’re interested in joining the Growing Together programme and hearing more about growing trees and setting up a community tree nursery, register your interest below.

This is a pilot year of a three year programme; we are currently working with a selection of 35 schools and communities. Register now to hear first about news of our small grants scheme, seasonal campaigns, training webinars, and resources on setting up a community tree nursery.

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