Nicholsons

harvesting in progress

2012-01-26T13:26:00.003Z

We are currently involved with a harvesting operation on an Estate in Northamptonshire. The picture shows the machine felling approximately 200 tonnes of pine timber per day, about 200 trees. Following ground preparation with a mulcher, replanting will take place using about 5 trees for every tree felled.

From former farmyard to garden

2012-01-12T12:23:00.004Z

The Nicholsons forestry team have been helping one of our clients create a garden out of what had once been an unloved farmyard surrounding their new home. A new house has been built on the site in South Oxfordshire, but the grounds around were still rather open and were surrounded by a mixture of overgrown native hedging and fast-growing, but rather thin willow hedge.

After rabbit fencing the entire garden and cutting back the existing native hedge, we have replaced the willow hedge with some 1-1.5m high container-grown native hedging, together with 30 specimen hedgerow trees. We also planted a number of speciment trees in various location around the garden to give the garden more structure and shelter.

Parkland Planting

2012-01-05T16:37:00.003Z

We were busy in the run up to Christmas helping one of our clients in South Oxfordshire with some large tree planting. The purpose was to introduce new and strenghten existing clumps of trees, within a parkland and orchard setting.

Some 22 trees, including 3 very large Pine (shown), were planted, and are on display for the enjoyment of local walkers, guests, and the passing traffic.

Nicholsons walking on water (almost...)

2011-11-25T13:03:00.005Z

The Nicholsons forestry team are currently planting specimen trees around a new lake for one of our clients. Included in the contract was the planting of some very large Scots pines on an island in the lake and this required a mini-digger to operate on the island. The civil engineering contractor who has also been working on the site had told us that they would build a temporary bridge to the island to allow us access, but we'd rather been expecting something a little more substantial than this. What's more, the bridge had been set up to take a digger that was somewhat larger than ours.
However, in the usual Nicholsons' way we used brains and quite a bit of brute force to realign the steel joists, got the digger onto the island, planted the trees, and got off the island again without anyone (or anything) getting wet! We're still on site planting more trees around the lake and in an avenue, and the client is very pleased with the end results.

Managing woodland in a galaxy far, far away....

2011-11-11T08:09:00.004Z

Whippendell Wood isn't actually far, far away at all - its just down the A41 - but its not everyday you get to manage trees on the so-called planet of Naboo - and its certainly a wood worthwhile mentioning. Used as a location in The Phantom Menace, Whippendell is a terrific ancient woodland, owned by Watford Borough Council, and used very well by the local residents. The woodland is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest for the semi-natural vegetation found on the site, and the increasing amounts of deadwood - a habitat we need to see more of in our woods.

We've now come to the end of our first stage of work, concentrating on thinning out the non-native conifers and Sweet Chestnut plantations. We've also constructed a useful turning area for timber wagons - in a safe location away from the main car parking area. We'll be back next year to increase the size of some of the glades, and start to thin out more of the broadleaved areas.

Staff Training Day

2011-10-04T15:26:00.003+01:00

Last Monday saw the annual Health and safety day here. The entire staff was collected together for updates on current practices before splitting out into groups, for refresher training on relevant equipment.

The Arboriculture team and landscape teams had refresher courses on all the different equipment that they use, to make sure that they are safe while in your garden. Boys (and girls) with toys.

The Plant centre team caught up on pest and diseases especial some of the more problem ones like Oak Processionary Moth. After that a tour of the nursery to look at all the lovely plants that we have to sell this year. We also looked at the growing trial of peat free compost growing against peat based compost (one of Merlin’s pet projects). The results are amazing and not really what we thought with the peat free trial plants being bigger and bushier than the ones grown in our normal compost mix.

This was an unusual day when we were all on the nursery together.

Arb Approved Contractors

2011-08-12T13:52:00.003+01:00

The Nicholsons tree surgery team, part of Nicholsons Forestry, have achieved accreditation as an ‘approved contractor’ from the UK Arboricultural Association (AA). By using an AA ‘approved contractor’, existing and prospective customers can be assured they are using a team whose methods, equipment, training and support have been thoroughly assessed, tested and approved by the AA.

Achieving accreditation has been challenging, even for a team with a reputation for doing things right, but Nicholsons felt it was worth the effort.

The Arboricultural Association (http://www.trees.org.uk) aims are: to advance the study of arboriculture; to raise the standards of its practice; to foster interest in trees through publications, exhibitions and the stimulation of research or experiment; to assist in the training of students in disciplines where arboriculture is a major subject; to co-operate with other bodies having similar aims.

Below are the Nicholson's Arb trucks sporting the Arb Association Logo

Flood Risk Reduction Tree Clearance

2011-08-11T10:03:00.005+01:00

Nicholsons Forestry team are currently managing the removal of poplars and willows from a riverside location on one of our clients' estates. The work is being done in consultation with the Environment Agency in order to reduce the risk of flooding in the area. The removal of the poplar plantations is also helping to restore the semi-natural landscape of an Enviornmentally Sensitive Area.
It is hoped that some of the cricket bat willows (Salix alba 'Coerulea') may indeed be sold to make cricket bats, but most of the timber is unfortunately of relatively poor quality and will therefore be chipped and used to generate heat and power.

2011-06-28T12:36:00.004+01:00

As part of our efforts to reduce the environmental impacts of our operations, Nicholsons are currently trialling an battery-powered hedgecutter from Pellenc. Supplied by Etesia UK Ltd., the hedgecutter runs from a backpack-mounted rechargeable lithium battery pack that the manufacturers claim will provide a full day of use without needing re-charging. As well as a hedgecutting attachment, the batterypack can also be used to power electric chainsaws, pruners and polesaws.
If the trial is successful and we go ahead and buy one of the machines the benefits for our clients would be a significant reduction in noise and fumes when our teams are trimming hedges in their gardens. For our teams there is also the added benefit of a reduction in hand-arm vibration and weight, as well as the reduction in noise and fumes.

'No Burn ' Ground Preparation for Forestry

2011-06-23T15:41:00.004+01:00

After felling mature conifers on an Estate, we are now preparing the sites ready to be planted in the autumn with broadleaves. Rather than burning the brash, we are using this 480 horse power mulcher to do the job.

Woodfuel Seminar at the RAC

2011-06-20T08:02:00.004+01:00

Nicholsons Forestry Team was represented by Rob Pile at a seminar on the use of woodfuel for heating at the Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester last week. The event also saw the official opening of the college's new woodfuel heating system.
As well as hearing presentations from a range of speakers on managing woodlands to provide woodfuel, timber specification for producing good quality woodchip for fuel, and the new Forestry Commission grants aimed at woodfuel production, it was also a chance to catch up with some old clients and meet some (hopefully) new ones. Rob also spent some time talking to Andy Grundy from Midlands Wood Fuel Ltd. with a view to selling lower grade conifer timber from our clients' woodlands to MWF.

Nicholsons Country Gardeners at Broughton Grange

2011-06-17T12:42:00.004+01:00

This Thursday the Nicholsons Country Gardeners Club visited Broughton Grange. The Gardens are only open 3 times a year under the NGS scheme, but we were able to have a private viewing in the evening by kind courtesy of the owner. The head gardener Andrew Woods showed us around assisted by the assistant head gardener Alastair. Both were hugely enthusiastioc and obviously passionate about the garden, which is divided up into many zones. There is the more formal parterre with Box and Roses, a stunning Herbacesous border,a woodland garden with peat blocks, a stumpery, 80 acres of Arboretum and a garden designed by Tom Stuart Smith, with it's different levels and a different theme on each level. The views from this part of the garden in the evening are stunning and we were very lucky with the weather.

The tours have been a great success so for those who have not joined the club please do and join us on some great visits and fascinating lectures.

Nicholsons visits Rousham

2011-06-17T12:35:00.003+01:00

With our Country Gardeners Club we had a visit to Rousham and were hosted my Charles and Angela Cottrell Dormer who introduced the tour and were kind enough, with their fantastic and energetic head gardener Anne Starling, to show us round these beautiful gardens. The gardens were designed and laid out by William Kent and have remained in the same style and layout ever since.

Dreadnaught.

2011-06-16T11:49:00.007+01:00

This pictures the launch of our intrepid Tim.P and him subsequently wrestling a 4" pipe into our reservoir. He had to brave the snug fitting life jacket, coax a contrary rubber duck into position, manhandle a giant dipstick on a lump of concrete into the middle of the reservoir, fend off swarming toad tadpoles and the mirth of his colleagues in order to achieve the task. Which he did superbly!

Our reservoir is rainwater harvested from our poly tunnels and roof spaces with a little coming from nursery run off. Like most people involved in agriculture and horticulture over the past few months our reserves are low - the reservoir did not fill up to capacity over the winter months which did not help matters.

Having not had our reservoir this low before we soon realised the pump extracting water was not able to do the job with the water so low.

Tim is placing in a 'sewage' pump which pushes big volumes of water out and into a new (actually recycled) holding tank, before being chlorinated and stored for use. It has a cunning floating filter so only abstracts from the clearest water near the surface..... Or so we thought until we spotted several dozen (live) toad tadpoles in our holding tank!

They are now found in the mesh of several filters - fortunately their numbers are such that losses are negligible - much less than them getting cooked on the liner in the heat as they crawl out - yet another hazard. Thankfully large numbers do make it to safety and are found all around the area!

We are now able to use the remaining water in our reservoir which takes the pressure off our mains bill - and your available water!

'ditching' and 'dolloping'

2011-06-09T10:21:00.004+01:00

Making the most of the unusually dry weather we are currently preparing a 3 hectare site near Coventry for the next rotation of trees. The land was previously stocked with poplar and is a very wet site. To improve the site drainage for the young trees, ditches are being cut and the resulting spoil 'dolloped' to create raised individual planting stations. Alder, ash and oak trees will be planted in December.

Timber Extraction in Dry Weather

2011-06-03T15:26:00.002+01:00

One of the virtues of the dry weather is that the Nicholsons Forestry team has been able to carry out the early summer's thinning program with the minimal possible damage to sites. This is another load of timber departing from the Althorp Estate on its way to the sawmill.
[Written by Tim Shardlow, Forestry Consultant to the Althorp Estate]

COMING HOME

2011-05-27T15:34:00.019+01:00

With exclusive access to some of the county’s most lovely clients and beautiful houses, we at Nicholsons are becoming increasingly aware of how important the approach to a house is and how it relates to the interior of the building. A well designed, first impression can only be a good thing, not only making guests feel welcome and clearly directing them to the house; it can also make you feel calm and relaxed when you arrive home after a busy day.

We adhere to a few design principles which enhance every property’s kerb appeal and create an entrance that lives up to the fantastic interiors often found within. Be honest with yourself and if you have any of the following they need to go, or at least be relegated to the back garden:

o Cheap, visible light fittings; “over the top” electric gates which judder or do not open properly.

o Novelty antiques like post boxes, telephone boxes and gnomes.

o Wheelie bins, plastic toys, trampolines and clutter in the front garden

o Concrete, concrete block or crumbling tarmac drives and paths.

o Hanging baskets and mismatched pots, tacky Conifers, rockeries, bedding and ericaceous plants on non- ericaceous soils.

Unmarked houses are not good; no one is too posh for a house name or number. A solid, timeless carved stone name plaque is the best, placed to be visible for the postman, garden designer or Doctor, should they need to visit.

Once the clutter is gone and the house is proudly displaying its name, it is time to introduce the following:

o Simple, understated and elegant design. Layout is important and try to keep parking areas away from windows if at all possible.

o Discreet light fittings, so you see the light where you need it, not the fitting, cabling or glare.

o Steel edges to lawns and drives to give a crisp finish and defined lines and contain gravel, resin bound gravel or tar spray with gravel rolled in surfaces.

o Planting to be in scale with and suited to the type of house. A cottage garden will not enhance a stately home and modern blocks of mono species will not necessarily suit an old farmhouse. Avenues of trees are good; so are pleached trees and topiary.

o Keep boundaries simple and neat.

o The whole area should be easily maintained so it can be kept looking its best with minimal effort.

o The drive must relate to the interior of the house and can set the tone for the entrance to the property.

o Door furniture is almost as important as the driveway itself. Good solid knobs and knockers will go a long way to offering a warm welcome on the doorstep.

o Finally be generous with the doorstep. There’s nothing worse than having to step up to ring the bell then falling backwards off the step while waiting for the door to be opened. A wide doorstep will accommodate carol singers at Christmas and welcome guests all year round.

It’s all very well giving advice but I have to confess my own front garden is a jumble of pots and hanging baskets and I have dug up the lawn to grow vegetables!

Whatever you do, don’t let your house down. Give it the entrance it deserves and enjoy the feeling of arriving somewhere special every time you come home.
By Karen Maskell.

Farm Woodlands

2011-05-27T12:20:00.002+01:00

Many owners of farm woodland schemes up and down the country will have recently received yellow forms through their letter boxes, inviting them to claim for another five years of grant payments. They remind us of the reasons we planted those woods in the first place, and to stand back and look at them again. They are the game cover, the shelterbelt, the improved view from the kitchen window, and the wet corner of the field that would never grow corn.

If you have a Farm Woodland plantation, I suspect your Forestry Commission contract sits quietly in a filing cabinet alongside quotes for trees, catalogues for tree guards and the odd invoice for weeding. Rarely seen, rarely needed, but representing something good on the ground. Many of the woods, like the forms we once filled in, sit quietly in their place.

Unlike your filed paperwork, you can get more from your woods than what they’re probably giving you now. Yes, it involves time which is hard to find on a farm - but they can bring you more. They also offer a good deal more fun and satisfaction than paperwork and forms will ever be.

We will all have different reasons for planting these woodlands, but there are a few jobs which are worthwhile doing to get the most out of them. Simple things - like removing or adjusting tree guards are going to be a good start. Tree stems can be damaged by trapped water and compression if the guards are left on too long. Secondly, remember that some of the longest living trees we have can be the slowest to establish. Make a decision on what trees you want to establish in the long-term, and get some qualified help to make sure those trees have the space and light that they need.

Thinning is so often forgotten, but can make such a difference to the farm woodland. Light reaches the floor again, helping any understorey of shrubs and allowing a herb layer to develop. Tracks through the woods benefit wildlife and game birds which like the mix of shelter and sunshine. Trees are able to put on girth, and you begin to see which ones should be there in a hundred years time. Consider pruning the best stems at the same time, and you’re left with a few logs and plenty of kindling for the fire.

Nicholsons have been happily involved in getting many farm woods planted and maintained over the years. They’re all different, and farm owners and managers often appreciate knowing about next steps, getting thinning licences, and knowing if there’s any more grant support out there for what they do. We can help at any stage in thedevelopment of your farm woodland, and helping you get the most from it.

Watering Specimen Trees

2011-05-27T11:44:00.003+01:00

Despite yesterday's rain (14mm recorded at our nursery in North Aston), Nicholson's Forestry are continuing to water our client's specimen trees all over the area.
Our team uses two 1000-litre tanks, mounted on the back of a Landrover and in a trailer, and a petrol-engined pump to apply water. The pump allows us to use long lengths of hose to reach trees which the vehicle can't get to - particularly useful for trees on steep slopes or where the landscaping around the trees has been completed.
If we've planted specimen trees for you in the past two or three seasons and you need help keeping them watered, please get in touch and we will do our best to help.

Radio Nicholsons

2011-05-27T07:44:00.005+01:00

Many friends of Nicholsons were pleasantly surprised to find Niel Nicholson presenting a feature on the Radio 4 topical afternoon slot 'You and Yours' . The topic revolved aroung the pressures and difficulties that the recession brought and how Nicholsons dealt with it as a company. A very articulate Niel toured the nursery with presenter Winifred Robinson and wowed her with the deilcious stock on display. To catch up with the broadcast click on the link below.

(If we had a web cam in the office we would also love to have shown you Niel cringing with his head in his hands as the show was broadcast live with staff huddled around the wireless....next time perhaps.)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/console/b011c224

Woodland Management to Maximise Tree Quality

2011-05-26T11:22:00.005+01:00

Nicholsons Forestry division are currently managing thinning operations in two areas of mixed conifer and broadleaved woodland for a client in Oxfordshire. The work will remove the majority of the conifers (larch and Corsican pine) from the woods to leave a mainly broadleaved woodland. Conifers are often planted as a 'nurse crop' with the intention that they will be removed part-way through the life of the wood once the broadleaved trees are well established. A few larch and pine are being left where these will add to the quality of the landscape as viewed from the nearby village.
The operations are being carried out using a Timberjack harvester, though the row spacing in the wood is only just sufficient to allow the machine through and in places we are also having to fell a few small broadleaved trees.

Protecting New Parkland Trees

2011-04-28T10:27:00.004+01:00

In the past month we have been helping to plant and protect some mature tree specimens in an area of old parkland in Northamptonshire. Tree numbers had been reduced since the 1980s by the effects of Elm disease within the grounds.

We placed guards around the specimens to prevent any damage from grazing Horses, aided by a small tracked post-banger.

Nicholsons at Le Manoir

2011-04-28T09:53:00.004+01:00

Nicholsons forestry team have been helping to fence a new orchard planted within the grounds of Le Manoir at Great Milton. The site has been transformed in the past few months, from a fallow field covered in rough grasses, to a well structured and beautifully laid out feature of the hotel grounds.

Unusually, we had to stop the banging in of posts to accomodate a television crew, who are documenting the development of the site. As and when this programme makes it to our televisions, you may wish to note that the silence was proudly provided by our team of fencers!

Nicholsons in the London Evening Standard!

2011-04-08T12:02:00.002+01:00

On Wed 6th April North Aston was featured in the London Evening Standard: There was a full page article singing the praises of the Cherwell Valley for it's easy commute to London and value for money when compared to Chipping Norton... After waxing lyrical about Fritwell and Souldern, it goes on to say "A slight step up, in cost terms at least, is North Aston, which is unspoiled by more modern developments and exceptionally well-mainteained. it continues "it also has Nicholsons, a fabulous plants nursery, which is simple heaven for the horticulturaly inclined". We can't get better praise than that!!

Street Works Qualification

2011-03-24T10:17:00.004Z

The Arb team go on yet another course! Matt and myself did our supervisor qualification for Signing Lighting and Guarding and Sam and Mike were doing there signing lighting and Guarding instillation qualification. We needed to update these courses because of the new requirements to have a "street works card" as of the end of April in order to put any cones out on the highway! This course will enable us to use temporary traffic lights and other combinations of signs inorder to safely guard of areas of the highway! We decided to send all of the Arboriculture team onto the course to ensure there training is up to date and in line with these new requirements. Nigel from Lux traffic management did a brilliant job of training us and we all had two fun days out playing with cones!!! We all passed so apologies if you see us out there holding you up in the roads of Oxfordshire in the near future.

First Country Gardens Event of 2011

2011-03-23T15:19:00.005Z

On Thursday the 17th of March we held our first Country Garden Event of the 2011 seaon. This was a talk by the very well known and respected sundial designer and maker David Harber. And followed by a brief introduction to Alitex greenhouses.

David Harber Sundials

I had no idea that Sundials were so beautiful and complex. Not only is the concept of a sundial one of the oldest forms of time measurement in mankind, but the design is hugely involved: each sundial is individually made to be accurate depending on the site it is going in. Depending on the longitude, the sun shines at a different angle and hence the angles of the rings need to be correct to show the shadow - the most accurate sundial is accurate to 15 seconds!!David Harber has spent years perfecting the maths and has not compromised on the beauty and aesthetics of his product. A Sundial is a thing of beauty that is timeless.

Alitex Greenhouses

When you want to see a greenhouse that looks like the old Victorain Glasshouses yet has all the features of a modern greenhouse then Alitex is the make to look at. Hence their accreditaion with the National Trust. Their greenhouses are made of Aluminium - 90% of which is recycled - and are beautifully and sympathetically built.

The next event is on 21st April and has James Alexander-Sinclair speaking.

Tubex Tree Guards

2011-03-14T09:30:00.005Z

'Know your product' - so the business mantra goes. It makes sense. It helps customers understand advantages and time savings when making comparisons with other products on the market.

In the spirit of this, Business Development Executive, Debbie Philippe from Tubex joined one of our teams for a day of tree planting in February - using their guards.

A highlight of this rather grey and misty day was when Debbie broke the shaft on a professional planting spade.....no we hadn't rigged it!

1080 trees and Tubex guards later we had the job completed.

Thanks for joining us Debbie!

Nicholsons in the Ardennes

2011-03-09T12:07:00.004Z

Forestry Director Tim Shardlow has just returned from Belgium. He advised an Estate on woodland management with particular emphasis on 'pheasants and forestry'.

Reducing the visual impact of HS2

2011-02-24T14:08:00.006Z

Whilst we have yet to hear whether or not the proposed High Speed line from London to Birmingham is going to go ahead, some people who live along the preferred route are beginning to prepare for the worst - but hoping for the best.

Nicholsons have planted some 500 native trees with associated hedging and fencing to help reduce the visual impact of any future High Speed rail line and construction work at Butlers Cross in the Aylesbury Vale. The plantation builds off an existing hedgerow, thickening it, and in keeping with the landscape of the Chilterns.

Sensitive and well considered planting of trees and hedgerows offer a great long-term landscaping solution for many situations, especially for medium to long distance views. Whether these trees and shrubs will ever be used to block a view over a high speed rail line - we don't know, but they will already be contributing to the local landscape and wildlife.

2011-02-20T18:37:00.009Z

Forest Road Construction

Nicholsons Forestry team have recently completed the upgrading of a 500m access road from the public highway into the woodlands on one of our client estates. The work involved the digging out of existing material, the importation from a local quarry of 800 tonnes of stone, and the spreading and compaction of the stone to form the new road surface. We also constructed a turning area to allow road going timber lorries to get into and out of the site more easily and to facilitate the loading of timber that will be brought down to the turning area by timber forwarders. The cost of the work was part-funded by a Woodland Improvement Grant from the Forestry Commission, and the work was completed ahead of timber harvesting operations on the estate which are due to begin in early March.

Forestry Commission consultation halted

2011-02-18T11:30:00.007Z

The Nicholsons Forestry team were pleased to hear that the consulatation on the Public Forest Estate in England has been brought to a halt. We feel this is the right decision at this time. Whilst we could understand the ethos behind the process, we had serious reservations with the proposals. Especially that there would be adequate protection put in place to secure the scale of access, recreational opportunities, biodiversity and landscape protection the Forestry Commission offer.

One of the issues raised in the Consultation was that the Forestry Commission is both a regulator (administering aspects of forestry law), and an operator in the business. We don't currently see a disparity in them holding both roles, and in some respects it is probably quite healthy and helpful. Provided the Forestry Commission are prepared to take heed of criticism levied at them by the private sector and their own regulatory arm, may they continue their good work.

We will be interested to see who will be sitting on the advisory panel (now being formed by the Environment Secretary), to report on forestry policy in England this autumn.

For DEFRA the press release see: - http://ww2.defra.gov.uk/news/2011/02/17/futureforestry/

2011-02-14T08:36:00.003Z

This old warrior has come to us from a client's garden. It is an olive tree that has been lovingly pruned....then subsequently hoicked out by a digger and brought back to our yard. We are giving it the benefit of the doubt and have carefully replanted it in our heeling in bed. The olives that we sell in Nicholson Plants do hail from Italy and some of them while not nearly as old as this fellow are recipients of pretty harsh hair cuts - they seem to respond well to this treatment and flush back vigourously. We do take our olive trees in under cover during the winter which does preserve the leaf on the tree - if they are left out there is a danger in prolonged temperatures of less than -7c that they will suffer - at this point they need wrapping in horticultural fleece as will the pot.

Lets hope that the trauma enjoyed by this tree will spur it on to a new lease of life - watch this spot....

One Oak Project starts the Tree Planting

2011-02-01T11:11:00.004Z

Nicholsons have been supporting the One Oak Project (http://www.oneoak.info/) which has been involved in the story of an Oak tree starting from its felling and the products that can be made from it. Seed had been collected and grown by Nicholsons and now it was time to start to plant the next generation.

On the site of the old tree a Sculpture was unveiled by the Duke of Marlborough (seen on the right of the picture), made from a bow of the tree. Local schools who have been involved with the project from the start then set about replanting with Oak Transplants having sung an Ode to Trees.

The cherry picker has arrived!

2011-01-28T13:04:00.004Z

The Nicholson's tree surgery team have got another piece of equipment to help them continue the good work on our clients trees. This 18 meter cherry picker is mounted on a Nissan Cabstar so we can transport it effectively around the countryside to help us get access to those hard to reach places quickly and efficiently.

We got this machine to enable us to undertake some of those tricky jobs and help reduce the fatigues associated with climbing using ropes and harnesses. This machine will be used by the team whenever possible in order that we continue to abide by current Health and Safety guidelines!

David and Sophie Harber

2011-01-17T09:45:00.008Z

How refreshing in todays busy commercial environment that artist and sundial specialist, David Harber, took time to consult his customers about his work. In a new initiative, David and Sophie Harber invited several designers and landscape architects to discuss current trends in the industry and review possible materials for the future. The day was an inspiration where like minded people, who often work in relative professional isolation, had the chance to brainstorm industry trends. David and Sophie were very hospitable and I think that I can speak for all involved when I say that the day was very worthwhile. Good luck David!

New Barn at Nicholsons

2011-01-13T15:40:00.003Z

Nicholsons have just re-erected an old timber framed barn at the main site at North Aston. The barn was originally on one of their clients sites and it was dismantled and carefully re-erected. With a new roof and cladding this will give Nicholsons a perfect barn to use for staff training, staff meetings and for lectures and seminars.

Nicholsons have just launched their Country Gardeners Club with a series of lectures (which will be held in the barn)and visits. Please see the website for further details.

From Plants to Panto...

2010-12-06T15:39:00.002Z

For two weekends only our one and only Merlin Brooke-Little swapped Nicholsons for the brighter lights of the Duns Tew pantomime "Sinbad's Big Eruption"! No he wasn't a magician but a character called Inkpad or 'Pot Noodle' to his friends. His colleagues turned out to cheer him on and we thought that those of you who missed him might like to sample a clip of his work. Signed photos can be obtained from the Cabin at Nicholsons Plant Centre in North Aston. (Be prepared for a long wait!!)

2010-11-29T15:37:00.006Z

The Nicholsons Plants team were recently treated to a training session on composts and their composition. Not from any old Horticulturalist but from Neil Bragg the chairman of the Horticultural Development Company (HDC) and a director of Bullrush Horticulture LTD. It was a very enlightening session that helped a lot of our staff understand many of the issues surrounding the problem of peat, and the ways in which we can reduce our usage and encourage our customers to think of alternatives.

Our mixes for nursery stock have reduced their peat component over the last five years by using more bark introducing new wood fibre products and keeping a level of loam. We have had trials of peat free mixes for our tree and hedging crops but have found that water retention and some fertility is lost. There is also the danger for us as we pot by hand that currently there are poor restrictions on the quality of green waste material. There is an amount of broken glass for instance the is 'permissible' - not if you pot by hand!

The challenge for us is to keep the quality of our plants and keep reducing peat use - all of our bagged composts for gardeners are now peat free - gardeners accounting for 63% of UK peat use. As technologies and legislation improves so we hope to reduce our usage still further.

Chaumont garden show

2010-10-21T14:52:00.015+01:00

Nicholsons’ Landscape section left the office for a day recently to visit the Chaumont Garden festival in the Loire Valley in search of fresh thoughts and artistic flourish.

After trying out all of the seats on offer we tried to digest the inner meaning of the “Body and Soul” gardens designed by an international selection of inspired minds.

Some gardens were more comfortable to be in than others and some had ideas to take home, though on the whole their appeal was in the concepts behind the design rather than the detail.

The gardens needed to be walked through to be appreciated with the designers urging visitors to take off their shoes to feel the materials underfoot or to caress the giant bamboo stems.

By contrast at Chelsea it is possible to drift past the gardens and like what you see through the crowds without even knowing the name of the garden let alone the ideas behind it, stopping only to consider and discuss the merits of one plant variety over another.

All of which begs the question which is the better designed garden? The one with a story to tell that engages the mind as well as the senses or the one which bares all at first glance and relies on thousands of pounds worth of paving and perfect pre-prepared planting?Perhaps it’s time for a Chaumont moment in the UK?

2010-10-14T15:30:00.007+01:00

Just before the children at Witney Community Primary School came back from their summer holidays, we sent the Landscape Team, Jules and Alastair to revamp the tired looking space ready in time for the Autumn Term.
With a digger some MOT Type 1, a few edging boards and some childhood inspiration to make some teepees, they built them a whole new looking space ready for the soft works team to come in and plant up the trees and shrubs.

Myself and Ali went back shortly after the term started and got the children involved in the planting. Some were more interested in the worms which they placed in the new raised veggie bed we also built for them. The children were all so enthusiastic and it was wonderful to see them all getting their hands into the mud and plant something that will grow taller than them by the time they leave the school.
So thank you for helping us.

For all those children who planted and then put a layer of bark mulch on top we wrote their names on a on a tag and attached it to the plant, so they can show their friends and family, but most importantly to look after, water and talk too.
Talking to plants and trees will always make them grow!

Nicholsons Hedging at Bicester Avenue Garden Centre

2010-10-12T11:34:00.002+01:00

Nicholsons are delighted to announce that they have opened a Hedging shop within the Bicester Avenue Garden Centre - one of the centres within the 120 strong Garden Centre Group. It is to be known as the British Hedging Shop and stocks all the lines that Nicholsons grow and are known for - quality container grown hedging. This is the first such Hedging shop within the groups stores and it is hoped that if it is a success that it will be roled out in other stores next year.

Spanish pebble mosaic in the cotswolds

2010-09-16T07:44:00.002+01:00

This summer’s exciting commission has seen us setting 10 Tonnes of Chinese black unpolished pebbles by hand into a dry mortar mix to create 100m2 of stunning pebble mosaic. Kindly advised by Maggie Howarth, we embarked on this project in early July and apart from running out of pebbles ( very serious as boats are very slow from China!) the project has been much fun and the result is really very beautiful….at least we think so!

Royal Forestry Society visit Althorp

2010-06-14T14:12:00.001+01:00

Tim Shardlow is doing his bit at the Royal Forestry Society whole society meeting at the Althorp Estate in Northampton. Tim is the Secretary for the Oxon Bucks division of the RFS and has assisted the estate, through his work at Nicholson’s with their woodland management since 1992.

Tim can be seen here running through the breakdown of the woodland cover to the RFS members in attendance.

Farewell Forester

2010-05-28T09:58:00.008+01:00

Today is ‘D-Day’ for Mike Tustin our Forestry Manager on his last day here at Nicholsons. After 7 years of hard graft at Nicholsons, Mike is shrugging off the comfort blanket and moving on to pastures new. From a life of creating and managing woodlands Mike is going to put away his wellies, don the tweed jacket, get into his BMW and sell woodlands instead. At least he will be a salesman with a forestry background! At his leaving party last night we all learnt the truth about his lack of maps, getting stuck and his passion for lay-bys. His leaving presents were a map case from Andy, a tow rope (definitely needed for the new car), some chocolate for his lay-by spotting hours, a beautifully crafted lime wood anchor from Matt (our fellow tree surgeon) and an engraved axe (as seen in the picture) from the whole team here at Nicholsons. We would all like to wish Mike well for the future and thanks for the cakes (at last!). Who can I tease now??? Going to miss you Mike! Cx

Mike Tustin Forestry Manager on his yacht

2010-05-14T11:56:00.003+01:00

When not at the desk organising Forestry jobs or working at home you will find Mike Tustin relaxing at many a sailing event. This picture was taken at the Cotswold Federation regatta where Mike came second overall out of 36 boats on the hottest day so far. Note the tee shirt. Wouldnt it be nice if we could have weather like that now (During the summer).

No Potholes - the entrance we deserve!

2010-04-29T07:57:00.003+01:00

At last, I hear you all cry! We have sorted the potholes at the entrance to the Nursery. They had progressiveley got worse over the winter and were a real embarassment, but with the help of G Hill and Sons we have redone the entrance and it looks great. The approach is now what you expect from a company priding itself in Landscaping. It is much easier now to come and visit and we look forward to seeing you soon.

When it is OK to bury plastic!

2010-04-15T17:12:00.001+01:00

Faced with a structural problem of adding top soils behind a dry stone retaining wall – we were advised by our structural engineers ( Brenda Marsh at Hannah Reid ) to build up the levels in polystyrene blocks, designed for the purpose. The hole has been dug and blocks of polystyrene 610mm x 1200mm x 2400mm ( the size of a baby elephant! ) have been laid in. These blocks will be buried and a Spanish terrace built on top.
My only question remains as to what our successors will think in later archaeological digs when they strike polystyrene?

Posted by Liz Nicholson

2010-02-03T16:09:00.002Z

Down in the depths of Nicholsons a new generation of plants is being prepared for the big outdoors on our nursery. Our potting crew come seasonally and through their attentioin to detail, hard quality control and loving potting they produce the quality raw material - plants in pots. For the rest of the year our nurseymen, cane, prune, spray, water, feed and move and generally pamper these plants mercilessly.

Some of the plants they pot come to us in a pot and are then potted on, the majority are bare rooted transplants that started life in a field and are potted up for the first time in their lives - luxury! The root system that they devolop gives them a huge advantage when planted whether it is a hedging plant or a tree - in one year the roots will have made it to the edge of the pots without having become root bound. We will also pot on our own crops and see them from a litte 20cm plug right through to a 35lt pot, over the course of 4-5 years. Only then are they let loose on the world - with their manners, we hope, intact.

Icing on the polytunnel....

2010-01-12T14:23:00.003Z

Happy New Year to one and all! Nicholsons has had a slow start due to the weather but we are open for business despite the snow so get those enquiries or orders e-mailed in. However, planting has been delayed because of the foot of snow so once it has disappeared we shall go plants mad! I look forward to seeing you at the nursery soon.

Well dressed trees

2009-12-16T09:06:00.017Z

Nicholsons landscape section has been busy at home as well as in the office choosing and dressing their christmas trees. Myrtle, Amber and Floyd (trees all have a name at Nicholsons) are now all installed, dressed and sparkling at homes throughout Oxfordshire.

If you have a photo of one of our trees with its finery on please e-mail it to me karen@nicholsons.gb.com and we will upload as many as possible to show just how lovely our trees are. If you still don't have a christmas tree we have a few left so come in soon and pick up Wallace or Jasper or Rupert or Mungo or Sophia or Germaine and friends.........All looking for loving homes.

Chester went to Deddington......

Holly got dressed in Adderbury....

The Beech!

2009-12-15T10:50:00.004Z

After nearly two weeks of cutting this beech tree in the heart of Oxford is now down! The tree was in a state of terminal decline because of root compaction which had happened by the builders.

We tried the previous year to rectify this by teraventing the area around the tree and fertilising the tree.

We reluctantly took the decision to remove the tree when it did not show any signs of improvement and a root rooting fungus Meripilus giganteus appeared in Autumn 2009.

Each piece had to be lowered in a controlled manner to the ground avoiding the expensive up lighters. The tree was estimated to weigh in the region of 50 tonnes. The timber was taken away for Firewood and the chip brought back to our yard and sent off to a combined heat and power plant to be turned into green electricity!

Christmas Party 2009!

2009-12-14T15:05:00.001Z

Ho, ho, ho or hic as the Christmas party season came around once again. A big thank you to Directors Niel, Liz and Tim for a lovely party of superb food and excellent company! Personally I love working for Nicholsons and it was great to catch up with all the Nicholsons team from each of the three departments of Plants, Forestry and Landscapes. The best secret Santa present went to Mike Tustin - the fellow giver obviously knows him very well!

Christmas Market success

2009-12-09T13:05:00.004Z

On Saturday 5th December the Christmas market opened! So come and visit the Christmas experience at Nicholsons which includes a greeting of festive aroma of mulled wine and warm mince pies. Then follow the arrows to Narnia for good looking "named" Nordmann trees which could even win you a bottle of champagne in the prize draw. There are prizes for the children on completion of the Narnia quiz and many tempting gifts for the adults to buy for their friends and relatives. The wreath making workshops have been a great success so ring us to book a space. Shrubs, trees and vouchers also make perfect gifts....

Winter at Nicholsons

2009-12-01T10:17:00.004Z

Christmas Market Open
The long awaited Christmas Market is open and ready for business - Winter at Nicholsons. There is not only a lovely array of plants and sundries, there are fresh Christmas Trees, Seasoned Logs and Wreaths. Also range of other stalls: Hampers from Eagles Fine Foods, Flowers and Wreaths from Daisies Florists, Whichford Pots, Ornaments for the garden from various suippliers and much more. Open every weekday from 7.30am -4.00pm and on Saturdays from 9.00am - 4.00pm and on Saturdays come and enjoy a glass of Mulled Wine and a Mince pies and watch the wreath demonstrations.

What a load of old Logs

2009-11-13T10:07:00.004Z

Yes it is really true. Nicholsons have started selling logs, and yes they really are "old". The best logs to burn on the fire are hardwood seasoned logs and these are all that is available. The logs have been seasoned for most of a year and come in 3 bag sizes and can be delivered. There is even a separate website for information: http://www.logs.gb.com/ -come and visit and see for yourself.

Nicholsons at the Globe

2009-10-14T11:27:00.002+01:00

On Thursday 8 October The Woodland Trust hosted an evening function at the Globe Theatre, London. The event was a charity fundraiser with a host of celebs. Not least amongst the notaries were a group of well turned out natives from Nicholsons.

The trust had requested that we supply them with a selection of native trees and shrubs all looking their best. So, several oaks, beech, hornbeam, spindle, guelder rose, wayfaring and laurels all found themselves in the bright lights – and were even dressed in hessian for the occasion by the Trust volunteers. They helped add ambiance to a very successful evening for the trust whose auction raised substantial funds for their great work.

Could anybody in the know give some more history surrounding the oak tree that apparently – and obviously in the photo – is growing within the Globe Theatre?

Matt, Sam and Graham step up to the challenge.

2009-08-19T10:24:00.007+01:00

The tree had a large cavity in the upper crown and numerous Inonotus Hisbidus fungi brackets from within the crown. A climbing inspection was undertaken and the resistograph micro drill was used at 20 meters up to ascertain the extent of the decay. The tree officer was then happy with the evidence and agreed that this TPO’d tree should come down.

Over three days Matt, Sam and Graham took up the challenge of bringing this tree down to earth. Matt did a good job of dismantling it and Graham and Sam managed to keep up with the wood chipper. The pictures show Matt and Sam before doing the final felling cuts bringing the tree to the ground. The client won’t be short of firewood this winter!

Nicholsons Plants escape from the nursery.

2009-07-29T08:08:00.006+01:00

Nicholsons Plants division were allowed to break free from the nursery yesterday to go on a trip out. We were privileged to have a guided tour of the Waddesdon Estate by the forestry manager, Pete. Pete showed us how well the trees and hedges, which we supplied to him over the years, were growing. It was very informative to see a 12 year old hedge planted from our bare rooted plants which had been laid 2 years ago now stood as a bushy, stock proof, Saxon mix hedge 2 years later. The Millenium oak arrow avenue (see picture) was a stunning site and can already be seen on Google maps. It was obvious that Pete and his team work with incredible effort and pride in their nurturing of the parkland.

The second picture shows woodland planting which is seven years old planted using all our trees and shrubs both in bare rooted and potted form. Species included cherry, copper beech, holly, larch, ash, Scots pine and even Davidia (the pocket handkerchief tree).

The third picture shows our transport for the day!!

After our tour of the parkland and woodland planting we were treated to a guided tour of the walled kitchen garden by the head gardener Sue. I have never seen such an aesthetically pleasing, productive kitchen garden ever before. The varieties and quality of vegetables were outstanding and it was nice to hear that the Rothschild family use them in their kitchens on a daily basis. There were unusual varieties of cabbage and potatoes; the greenhouses were full of tomatoes, peppers, aubergine and plants for the house. The fruit ranged from pot grown dessert cherries, peaches, grapes, nectarines and a pear and apple arched walkway to die for. Next came the cut flower area to provide flowers for the weekly, colour schemed flower arrangements.
A big thank you to Pete, Sue and all the staff for putting up with us and showing us around their outstanding areas. The experience was amazing and we have all learnt something new!

Too many trees to choose from...

2009-06-26T12:28:00.001+01:00

Trees, trees and what a surprise another tree! It is that time of the year again when I get to break out of the office and visit the plant growers to reserve the tree and shrub stock for the new season. The purpose of the visits is to build a good relationship with other nurseries and find out how the horticultural industry is changing. I can then look at the quality of the plants and reserve the best to be delivered to us in the autumn. Nicholsons Plant Centre still has a sale on to clear out the current season’s stock then in September the sale’s area will be stocked again with a fresh supply of garden plants, ornamental trees, specimen trees and topiary.

A load of old bales!

2009-06-26T09:35:00.012+01:00

Back in the 12th century a bishop of Winchester came up with the idea of throwing in a load of barley in a pond to keep it clear, and so 800 years on gardeners are still using this method.

The most efficient way of keeping ponds clear of algae is to semi-submerge barley straw wrapped up in Christmas tree netting, or in the case of some gardeners, in the lady of the house’s tights!

Barley straw rots down faster than other straws and as it rots down it uses up the available nitrogen in the water which algae needs to feed on and grow. So removing the nitrogen leaves very little for the algae to live on and leaves clear water. A very environmentally friendly use for the straw.

Visiting Chelsea

2009-06-18T11:43:00.006+01:00

On a recent visit to Chelsea flower show my colleague and I were very impressed with Luciano Giubbilei’s Garden for Laurent–Perrier, with its simple clean lines and textural contrasts. For us it was the best large garden in the show with none of the busyness of The Daily Telegraph garden planting or strange sculptural shapes like the white Brussels sprout that appeared to have landed in the otherwise beautiful Cancer Research UK garden.

I love the small urban gardens-full of new ideas and fun with fresh details and colours. The Nature Ascending Garden was the best for me this year with its built in eco features and strong use of colour. The mix of rampant planting and restrained but stylish detailing made a perfect mix.

I found a lot of the Courtyard Gardens disappointing though, as on the whole they seem to simply reproduce a chunk of countryside that exists already. While this is technically quite clever it is as a photo is to a painting. I want to see inspired design and fabulous new ideas for small spaces-I want to see an exquisite little piece of art!

Of course the exception was The Freshly Prepped Garden by Aralia with its outdoor kitchen and luscious veggies (including the most photographed radish in the country). I wanted to take this one home! Imagine how much more time could be spent in the garden if the kitchen were outdoors and there was no need to keep popping back indoors for more Pimms . . .

(Karen's first blog entry, uploaded for her by Nicholsons)

New Grants for Forestry !

2009-06-02T12:32:00.005+01:00

The Forestry Commission have made new grants available to assist tree planting and woodland management.
Supplements are now available for planting close to large centres of population ranging from £500 to £2000 per hectare on top of the 'standard' £1800 per hectare planting grant.
Woodland planning grants are now available with a minimum of £1000 being available per scheme to encourage woodland owners.
Farmers can also now claim the Single Farm Payment money as well as getting annual payments for 15 years on farm woodland.
A new budget for Woodland Improvement Grants has also been announced.
See our web site or speak to Tim or Mike in 'Forestry' for more details

Big Trees for Great Bourton

2009-06-02T12:24:00.015+01:00

We were recently asked to plant 2 large container grown conifers at the rear of a property. The problem was that the trees were too large for the access routes.

The solution was to use a lorry mounted Hiab crane to move the trees in over a wall from the road. This actually made for a very rapid planting operation!

Seasoned logs for sale.

2009-05-15T11:09:00.005+01:00

The Forestry tree surgery team are busy producing waste timber from their tree surgery works so with their new truck they are bringing it back to the yard. Matt then splits the logs into firewood and puts them into different sized bags to be stored in the polytunnel until they are seasoned. Nicholsons can now offer seasoned hardwood for sale and on each bag it will be stated when the trees were felled and the village of origin. So when you lay your fire think of those Oxfordshire logs and where they have come from. Please contact us for further information on prices.

Transport...

2009-05-04T10:42:00.002+01:00

Improvisation is the key when plants need to be collected and transported. Our customer felt that the size tree of this tree was not going to be a problem to take home! We can offer deliveries at a charge but it is amazing what we can fit into a car…..

Lifting the correct way...

2009-04-27T09:51:00.001+01:00

At Nicholsons there many items of all shapes and sizes to be lifted and moved. In order to save our backs we organised a staff training session on manual handling. The materials we frequently move are awkward and heavy in the range of large trees, compost and logs. The Landscape team experience a variety of manual handling techniques in their daily work from laying slabs, shovelling and mixing cement. All the staff took part and the emphasis was on the individual and their capabilities of lifting. There is no set law on the maximum weight to be lifted but general guidelines which advise the individual on the best way to lift and to ask for help whenever they feel they need to.

Nicholsons Forestry Reaches the parts that no other Consultant can reach

2009-04-20T10:20:00.004+01:00

Tim Shardlow who heads the Nicholsons Forestry department needs to get to some obviously difficult to reach parts on one our clients estate. Here he is heading off onboard the company's LOHR FL500 Air portable light vehicle to visit places untouched by human hand or foot for some time. He obviously does not want to get stuck and so this tough vehicle has been wheeled out to assist. This vehicle is being used to travel around some of the new woodlands which have been planted on an estate to make sure that the weeding has been done properly and that the new trees are growing well following the completion of this years winter tree planting schedule.

Henley in Transition -Carbon Neutrality by 2012

2009-04-17T16:14:00.006+01:00

Nicholsons made two presentations at the Rowing and Riverside Museum in Henley this month. The presentations focused on the role of forestry in reducing a carbon footprint. They also focused on the benefit of using wood fuel as part of this process and in so doing enabling good management of woodlands. There currently a great demand for woodfuel and this is helping to improve markets for low value produce, this in turn is enabling woodlands to be better managed.

Nicholsons just keeps on getting bigger

2009-03-12T12:39:00.002Z

This year the trees that clients really want are getting larger and larger. With our expertise and many bits of specialised equipment we have been able to help many of these clients who previously would have had to settle with trees of a size which are easily manhandled.

So if you want to plant any large rootballed trees and invest in an instant park just let us know and we should be able to plant large trees in a cost efective way whilst increasing their chance of survival.

Nicholsons awarded "Highly Commended" at Grower of the Year Awards 2009

2009-02-27T11:34:00.010Z

Last night Niel, Merlin, Catherine and I attended the Grower of the year Awards 2009 at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in Hyde Park, London. John Inverdale presented the awards to a wide range of growers from seed companies to edible crops and ornamental crops (our category). We were awarded "Highly Commended" behind the winner who went on to win grower of the year in ornamentals. We are very happy with that as we are a much smaller nursery than the winner and we do not supply plants to the multiple garden centres. The announcer on the microphone was the one and only Alan “voice of the national lottery balls” Dedicoat; Catherine got his autograph for her mum (good excuse Catherine!). I was not as subtle when I asked John Inverdale for his!
An enjoyable evening was had with fine food and the company of likeminded horticultural growers, even if some of them were heavily into their tomatoes!!

2009-02-24T13:47:00.006Z

Our new tree surgery truck is here! After ordering the truck in August expecting delivery in November the truck did its first job on Monday afternoon. Before buying the new truck the forestry team undertook many calculations on payloads of vehicles and realized that a 3.5 tonne vehicle would not be sufficient as we would be overweight with half a ton of chips! So our new vehicle is a 5 tonne and will be able to take away more chips and timber from site! This has come with many hurdles to jump from a restricted operator’s license, the use of tacographs and getting the team through training courses but it will all be worth it to stay legal!

Don't let the snow damage your plants...

2009-02-12T16:10:00.001Z

When the snow was bad Niel spent time walking about with a soft brush in order to knock the snow off the plants. As you can see in the photo, the branches of the olive are weighed down by the heavy snow. Make sure that you remember to check evergreen trees and shrubs along with topiary for any damage that the might have occurred. Prune off any broken branches.

Nicholsons in the snow!

2009-02-06T15:59:00.010Z

Well, the worst snow storms for a while had their own impact on Nicholsons as we were not able to find the plants let alone plant them. Full steam ahead now as we only have 6 weeks left in the bare root planting season.

Enjoy the views of Nicholsons in the snow!! Click on any of the images to view an enlargement.

2009-01-13T15:30:00.000Z

Planting can begin…

I bet most of you were out on Saturday morning taking pictures of the beautiful views as the frozen fog looked stunning on the trees and hedgerows. What a change on Monday as the rain moved in with milder temperatures to match. It does mean that the frost has lifted from the ground and planting trees can resume. We have begun to pot up the container grown hedging for next year but we still have some left if you are wanting to get your hedge in the ground before spring emerges. Come and visit us to see the stock, we would love to see you.

Hedges, hedges and more hedges

2009-01-08T14:29:00.000Z

Our return to work has been greeted by some of the coldest temperatures on record which has been a hindrance to Nicholsons. We have been unable to get planting straight away because of the frozen ground. This means that you will have to plant your hedge as soon as the ground thaws out. Hedges should be planted for a manner of reasons. Within the garden they create a versatile boundary or divide which can be used as a formal or informal manner. Hedges are great windbreaks as they filter the wind rather than create a vortex effect like a fence or wall. Many different species of plants can be used to create a hedge to offer colour, texture, security and wildlife appeal in the garden. Should you require any further help on choosing the right hedge then please follow this link: http://www.nicholson-nurseries.co.uk/forestry/forestry_hedgeplanting.htm

The morning after...

2008-12-24T09:39:00.000Z

Thank you Liz and Niel for a superb evening! The annual staff party was held in lovely surroundings with fabulous food, our brilliant Nicholsons team and plenty of Christmas cheer….

Too much festive cheer for me as I am trying to focus on this Blog entry as my Resolve slowly takes effect!

(The picture shows Niel Nicholson trying out Adam's new toy)
Well that is us done for 2008 so have a lovely Christmas and get out into your garden to see what needs to be planted and I will see you in 2009.

Christmas cheer

2008-12-22T14:14:00.000Z

Not long to go now as the Christmas trees are nearly sold out, all wreaths are discounted and we are eagerly awaiting our annual staff Christmas party which is being held tomorrow. We shall be closed from 12pm on Wednesday 24th December (Christmas Eve) until Monday 5th December 2009 so get down here quickly. I hope that you are all ready but remember that we can offer that late tree or shrub as an alternative present or why not buy some Nicholsons vouchers over the phone. One customer from Australia did just that today for his mother who lives locally. I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a festive Christmas and a prosperous New Year. Remember that planting trees is a fantastic New Year’s resolution and a good way to burn off all the trimmings! (So I will see you in January then…)

Back to the classroom for all!

2008-12-09T08:04:00.000Z

Last night we had one of our bi-monthly staff training sessions. We gather after work from 4.30-7.30pm at a local conference centre to learn new things. This month it was time to improve our carbon footprint by learning about waste and recycling within Nicholsons. Merlin chaired a very interesting evening which included guest speakers from Agrivert, a green waste composting company, and Avoncrop who is the UK’s leading specialist supplier to the Horticultural Industry. Our Landscape contracts manager, Ronnie, tracked one of our skips and we found out that surprisingly most of it gets recycled.
At Nicholsons we have many methods of recycling including paper/cardboard, plastics, pots, green waste and hardcore. Ade, the site foreman, tries hard to train our staff and keep them in line afterwards!!
We do accept large plastic pots back to the nursery which customers have bought their plants in as we do sterilise them and re-use them in growing so feel free to return them on your next nursery shopping trip.

Christmas Opening - Extra Days

2008-12-05T14:03:00.000Z

Don't forget we are open both tomorrow (6th December) and next Saturday (13th December) for Christmas trees. Fantastic selection of Nordmann Needlefast trees available and stands etc. The weather is set to be good, so shop first and pick one up on the way back.

Saturday 6th Dec
Dr Radcliffe's School Christmas Fair - another one not to miss.

Tree Planting Frenzy

2008-12-03T10:56:00.000Z

The tree planting rush has now begun if a little late despite the recession. Every man and his dog has now realised that trees are now ready to plant and soil conditions are perfect if a little wet.

I am now spending my time starting off tree planting teams in the morning and visiting sites to do quotes in the afternoon. This is the normal situation prior to christmas as most people want all their planting done before christmas which seems to be the end of the world.

Life however does continue after christmas and planting will continue at a pace until the end of March.

The early bird catches the view..

2008-11-15T15:30:00.000Z

Starting work at 7.30am is very early especially on a cold, wet and dark winter's morning but the benefits of seeing a sunrise on a regular basis out weighs the negatives! The photos show a sunrise over Nicholsons reservoir and an early morning view over the nursery (the moon still visible in the distance).

Set at 135m above sea level, Nicholsons Plant Centre gives you ‘The Great Outdoors’ experience. Being so exposed to the elements you know that if we have grown the plants at the nursery then they are going to be hardy! So come along when we open and share a sunrise or appear at the end of the day for a winter sunset.

A Sad Farewell!!

2008-11-04T17:00:00.000Z

Yes, we are selling plants at full speed now as the bare rooted hedging season is upon us.

As Mike said, the Forestry team are out there getting muddy boots by planting trees! However, not only do they plant trees but sometimes it is necessary to cut them down. This is what has happened to our beloved sycamore tree at the entrance to our nursery.

The sycamore went through several consultations with our qualified Arboriculturalists starting with a machine called a resistograph to get a Picus Tomography.

(Please visit the NEWS page on our main website to view forester Adam Quant's report and photos)

The report states the results and provides photos to show why the decision to fell was taken.

It is sad when a tree has to be taken out but they are living just like us humans and when the time comes.........!!