Landrover with a difference

In the Arb team we have a landrover with a difference - it has a winch fitted to the front.

Not only can it pull itself out of difficulties, but it is very helpful when we need to pull larger trees over in awkward situations - for instance where it is very important to make sure a tree falls in exactly the right line.

Fitted with a box tipping back it is an ideal piece of kit.

Ha Ha

In a new direction for us, but building on exisiting skills we currently have a team having "fun" constructing 180m long Ha-Ha near Chipping Norton using gabion baskets and dry stone walling stone to extend the clients garden into the field without having the views disturbed by fences.

 

Ha-Ha's were designed to provide stock proof barriers while allowing the view from the house to remain unimpeded. Generally around the larger country Houses they allowed Cattle and Sheep to appear to graze in the fields right up to the house, without the need for Parkland railing or more visually intrusive wooden fences.

 

It is very rewarding to be involved in  creating a new Ha-Ha.

A Courtyard Redesign

A local Hotel asked us to help with the re-design of a small courtyard from an untidy area of vehicle parking to a new garden and pedestrian pathway.

A simple but very effective job.
Start to finish in under a week.

Nicholsons' New Post Driver

We are delighted to announce that we have just taken delivery of our new machine, a custom built tracked post driver. No longer do we have to use the manual post boppers or the slow tractor mounted driver that needs 2 people. This new machine is faster, more efficient and can be run with only 1 person.

Even in  the  extremely wet  ground conditions we have at present, the machine allows us to complete fencing contracts without making a mess . The 300 kg hammer also drives the posts in to the  ground  most effectively .

A special  rock spike attachment enables efficient working even in our local Cotswold brash.

Do get in contact if you have any fencing needs and we would be delighted to offer a quote:

tim@nicholsons.gb.com

Blog tired of Tradition

Nicholsons "named" Christmas trees are fabulous but there are other alternatives if you are tired of tradition. We have topiary cones and spheres as well as topiary lollipops ready to decorate with the added bonus that they can be planted out in the garden after Christmas as a permanent feature. We also have lovely Hollies, evergreen oaks and birch which will all look great with decorations either inside or out. Species available include Bay, Box, and olives. Come and see us to choose the size and shape that fits your space.

The Nicholsons "Named" Christmas Trees are back!

Our Christmas trees are here and ready to be chosen. As always they have been individually "Named". Can you remember who you had last year...? Lots of lovely trees here and we also have Wreaths.

Open Weekdays 7.30-4.30pm
Saturdays 9.00-4.00pm

A new addition to the extended family

We are delighted to announe the recent arrival of Willow Steele to Matt and Julia Steele. Matt is our Arboricultural Manager and is taking paternity leave to have time with his first born. Mother and baby are well and we are all delighted for them. Wishing Willow a happy and healthy life ahead.

Blenheim Palace Flower Show

Nicholsons attended the brand new Blenheim Palace Flower Show at the weekend using the trade stand garden we had at Chelsea to showcase what we can offer in Garden Design. The weekend was a great success with thousands of visitors.

Nicholsons also had a "Tree and Hedging Advice Centre" where anyone could ask questions about planting trees and hedges from one of our experts.

Fenella was filmed by Witney TV and did a fantastic job as an ambassador for Nicholsons.

Wood Fuel

Niel Nicholson was filmed at the nursery discussing the topic of woodfuel. The BBC news clip is about promoting the use of wood in Oxfordshire as a cheaper and cleaner alternative fuel than oil. Using more wood would increase coppicing and wood harvesting which also encourages biodiversity to help the wildlife. The aim is that wood produced in Oxfordshire will be used in Oxfordshire.

The BBC came to Nicholsons to film the woodfuel boiler which heats five buildings from its renewable wood source. Nicholsons has also signed up to the OxLogs standard of firewood managed by toe² (Trust for Oxfordshire's Environment) where the customer will know where the wood stock is from and is guaranteed to be produced under ceratin standards.

Chelsea - it is all over for another year!

What do most people do on Bank Holiday Monday!
Laze around in the sunshine and enjoy a well earned day off - well in the aftermath of the Chelsea Flower Show life goes on and the show had to be taken down. 4 people set off at 5am and dismantled the show stand and were home by 2pm.

So plans for 2014.........watch this space

The stand after it had been cleared - recognise the shapes?