With increasing numbers of tree pests and diseases in the UK, it's important we have confidence in the trees we plant.
Our procurement processes ensure that every tree we use and supply has been sourced and grown within the UK and Ireland. Each one is fully traceable from planting material through to planting.
To enable this, we’ve put in place the biggest tree growing contracts in our history, investing more than £15 million since 2014.
Seeds are collected across the UK and Ireland and sent to nurseries to be grown on into saplings, or even into semi-mature trees. These trees are then used in our planting projects, or distributed to individuals, schools, communities and other landowners for planting. We also provide trees which may be grown in different ways, such as from cuttings.
Behind the scenes, we obtain seed certificates for all collections so the source can always be identified. Seed deliveries to nurseries are coded and batched, and sown into seed beds and growing areas designated for Woodland Trust stock.
These stock codes are retained right through to dispatch using computer records and physical labelling. This means we can track individual trees at every stage of their journey, and we have full visibility of the supply chain.
Responsible tree procurement is central to developing resilient landscapes. It limits the risk of spreading arboreal diseases and pests through plant imports.
Large-scale procurement of appropriate stock is a cornerstone of our goal to establish 60,000 hectares of native woodland by 2030. It also enables us to get the best value from our supporters' money and to develop productive partnerships with the wider UK tree nursery sector.
Our UK and Ireland Sourced and Grown Assurance Scheme (UKISG) is a voluntary biosecurity initiative for tree nurseries. We developed the scheme in response to the ash dieback outbreak, to try and prevent this happening again. It provides the necessary assurances that the trees have been grown solely within the UK or Ireland. This includes ensuring material used to grow the tree, such as a seed or cuttings, is also UK or Ireland sourced.
We ensure that every tree we sell, plant or fund is sourced and grown in the UK or Ireland and UKISG provides the most reliable source of these trees. We also advocate for all tree buyers to prioritise sourcing of UKISG stock.
UKISG does not only apply to native species, as there are many UK sources of non-native species too, including ornamental trees.
We appoint auditors to assess participating nurseries, so suppliers selling stock as UKISG assured have been independently verified to meet the requirements of the UKISG Standard.
Participating nurseries may identify and market UKISG assurance on qualifying stock and are not excluded from growing non-UKISG stock, or from importing plants and plant material provided there is strict segregation from UKISG stock.
The nurseries below have qualified for UKISG assured status, including some of the largest producers in the UK and Ireland. This list is updated each autumn.
For queries or more information please email treeprocurement@woodlandtrust.org.uk.
Imported pests and diseases pose a significant threat to our native trees, and the focus of the UKISG scheme is biosecurity.
By endorsing British-grown plants we hope to promote a reduced reliance on imported planting stock and limit the associated risk of pests and diseases being introduced from abroad.
In this way the scheme gives further protection for our native trees, complementing the range of measures already in place at borders and across the UK.
Trees woods and wildlife
Learn more about the pests and diseases threatening our trees. Find out how to spot them, the symptoms and outlook, and how you can help.
About us
The Strong Roots project aimed to explore challenges and opportunities for domestic tree production and produce evidence-based recommendations for improved governmental support for the sector.
Our bold pledge to stop using new single-use plastic tree guards on our land in 2021 put us at the forefront of the movement to eradicate plastic from planting schemes UK-wide. We’re funding research to find viable alternatives and are now moving towards sustainable tree protection in other areas.
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We create wildlife-rich woods and plant native trees to benefit nature, climate and people now and in the future.
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Trees help people and nature thrive and we need more of them in the ground. That’s why we’re giving thousands away free to schools, councils, clubs and more.
