National Highways has awarded a nursery in West Sussex a contract worth nearly £3m to supply a future pipeline of young trees.
The government-owned company said it is taking the innovative approach of buying and growing its own stocks of native trees as part of its commitment to plant an additional three million trees by 2030.
Greenwood Plants, near Arundel in West Sussex, one of the UK’s largest growers for the commercial sector, won a £2.7m deal to help grow millions of native trees from seed over a five-year period, in batches ready for planting for five years from autumn 2024/25.
One of the seedlings that eventually will be planted on National Highways' estate
The native species will include Holly, Scots Pine, Oak, Rowan and Beech. National Highways said the trees chosen will offer seasonal interest throughout the year and blend harmoniously with the surrounding natural environments.
The trees will be grown peat-free at nurseries near Arundel, and on the Wirral. The majority will be supplied as two-year-old bareroot seedlings, which means they will be field-grown and come with their roots exposed (no soil attached).
This makes them easier to transport, quicker to plant and establish. They will be planted from November to March.
National Highways executive director Malcolm Dare (pictured, left) said: ‘The positive impacts of trees and green spaces on the environment are significant, which is why I am proud to be awarding today’s significant funding to Greenwood Plants.
‘We are all aware of the consequences of climate change, proving that we can no longer afford to be indifferent or complacent about this issue. That’s why we’re doing all we can to tackle the ecological problems we face by investing in vital projects like these to improve our road network.'
Greenwood Plants managing director Melanie Asker (pictured, right) said: ‘We are really proud to be supporting National Highways in their goals of reaching Net Zero and improving biodiversity across the country, principles that are very close to our heart here at Greenwood.’
