We are excited to invite you to join us at Hillier Trees as we celebrate Grown in Britain Week, an initiative that champions British grown trees and plants. As a company deeply rooted in British horticulture, our commitment to sustainability and innovation is aligned with the goals of this important and national campaign.

As one of the UK’s leading tree suppliers, with over 160 years of horticultural experience, we are deeply committed to sustainability, innovation, and supporting British biodiversity. Throughout this week, we’ll be highlighting our sustainable growing practices and sharing stories from the passionate growers behind our trees. This is a great opportunity to meet the dedicated team that makes Hillier Trees a leader in the industry.

Here’s a Sneak Peek at Some of Our Growers:

Tim Jerome:

The passion for what we do is evident across the team. Tim Jerome, a grower who’s been with us for over twelve years speaks about the satisfaction of contributing to landscapes across the country: “Seeing the trees go out and spotting them years later in places like Portsmouth, I can proudly say I helped grow that from the ground up.”

George Negrila:

George Negrila joined us three and half years ago, quickly embracing the art of budding. “Growing trees and improving nature is rewarding in every way”.

Daniel Turner:

Assistant Section Head, Daniel Turner who has been with us for thirteen years spoke about the camaraderie within the team: “The most rewarding part is seeing the progress of everyone who comes here and how much they learn. It’s great to be a part of that journey.”

Jamie Crowe:

Supporting initiatives like Grown in Britain isn’t just about helping the environment; it also strengthens the UK’s green economy. Jamie Crowe, a Hillier grower who has been involved in some of our largest projects, including the Olympic Park, summed it up perfectly: “Watching the trees develop and seeing them become part of the iconic landscapes makes all the hard work worthwhile.”

Darren Merrit:

Darren Merrit who has been with Hillier for twenty years, reflects on his journey from a temporary role to becoming a key part of the team, responsible for lifting rootballs. He finds the most rewarding aspect of his work to be watching the trees grow and seeing them head out the gate, ready to enhance Britain’s green spaces.

Our role in supporting Grown in Britain aligns with our ongoing efforts to minimise environmental impacts through initiatives like ISO14001 Environmental Management, Planet Mark, and the Plant Healthy Scheme. These measures ensure our trees are not only healthy and resilient, but also play a key role in preserving British biodiversity. As Julian Tipper, our Plant Healthy rep, noted: “By supporting locally grown plants, there is less chance of importing exotic pests and diseases, and traceability is easier.”

Steve Waldock, Assistant Manager reflects on his journey at Hillier and our company’s commitment to growth: “The most rewarding part is seeing the large trees we’ve grown leave the nursery, knowing we’ve done everything possible to deliver the best quality. It’s fulfilling to know that we’re contributing to Britain’s green spaces in a meaningful way.” He also adds “We bumble along together quite well, and there have been some fantastic characters that I have worked with over the years – people that you remember for so long, and it’s a shame we are going to be losing one of those people in Nick Holden.”

Nick Holden:

Nick Holden is set to retire from Hillier Trees this November, after nearly 50 years of dedicated service, leaving a legacy in horticulture. Having started with Hillier in 1975, Nick has made significant contributions across various areas of the business. He joined the field-grown nursery at Andlers Ash when it first opened and has been a cornerstone there ever since. A highly skilled horticulturist and the fasted tyer on the nursery, Nick is also renowned for his expertise in hand-digging the perfect rootball. His skillset and knowledge will be difficult to replace.

Simon Farmer:

As we celebrate Grown in Britain Week, we remain dedicated to growing the next generation of trees whilst nurturing the next generation of horticultural talent. Simon Farmer, a Hillier veteran of over twenty-one years adds: “It’s a good laugh and a great bunch of people to work with.”

We hope you can join us in supporting local horticulture and sustainability. This week is a chance to connect with our talented team and see how their work contributes to the UK’s green spaces.