Tree Nurseries of Powys
The Growers
By 2008 the project had helped to 4 local nurseries across Powys to start up or expand their businesses and to cooperate in promoting and selling local provenance trees
As a group, Tree Nurseries of Powys specialise in growing high quality native trees of certified local provenance, appropriate for Powys and Mid-Wales. Their location and contact details can be found in the Suppliers of Local Provenance Trees PDF Document.
The Project
The Tree Nurseries of Powys project was established by *Glasu in 2005, with two principal aims:
- Amongst tree buyers, to promote awareness of the benefits of local provenance trees (native tree seedlings grown from seed collected in Mid-Wales);
- To assist businesses in Powys wishing to grow and supply local provenance tree seedlings.
Planting better adapted, local provenance trees, ensures better survival rates and protects local biodiversity.
What does provenance mean?
The provenance of a tree describes the seed it grew from and where the seed was collected. As a guide the Forestry Commission has divided the UK into broad seed zones (see map) based on regional, environmental factors.
Why plant native trees and shrubs of local provenance?
Local provenance trees are native trees grown from locally collected seed. There are many environmental, economic and social benefits to planting them:
- Their genetic makeup ensures that they are better adapted to local conditions found in Mid-Wales.
- Planting better adapted trees ensures better survival rates, avoiding the costs of replanting.
- They help protect local biodiversity.
Sourcing trees and seeds locally also:
- Reduces transport costs.
- Reduces pollution and climate change impacts.
- Safeguards local employment.
Most agencies involved in tree planting, including Coed Cymru, Forestry Commission, C.C.W., Woodland Trust, W.A.G. and Unitary Authorities now recommend using local provenance trees.
* Glasu is the EU LEADER+ programme for Powys and Mid-Wales, promoting innovative and sustainable rural development, which "add value" to natural products from the region.
LEADER+ is a European Community Initiative for assisting rural communities in improving the quality of life and economic prosperity in their local area. For further information, about any of the above, please contact Cliff Webb on 01982 552224 or email cliffw@powys.gov.uk or visit the website http://www.nativetrees.org.uk/.