Home / Case Studies / Metasequoia Rehoming to Private Estates

Metasequoia Rehoming to Private Estates

Project:

Client:

Private Estates

Hillier Project Manager:

Kate Griffiths

Plant Production:

23x Metasequoia glyptostroboides – sizes ranged from 80cm girth, 2-3m height, and 12m+ height. All rootballed.

Deliveries Made:

1 delivery, 2 collections

Overview

When one of our field locations, Upper Mounts, was identified as going to fallow, the team at Hillier Trees took on the challenge of rehoming 23 Metasequoia trees to three Private Estates, all within just three weeks.

At Hillier, our field grown tree production follows a carefully managed crop rotation system to maintain soil health and ensure long-term sustainability. When a field goes to fallow, it is temporarily rested from tree production to restore its fertility and natural structure. During this period, green manures and cover crops are planted and later ploughed in, replenishing nutrients, improving drainage, and naturally reducing pests. This sustainable soil management approach ensures the continuous production of high-quality trees with strong, fibrous root systems.

With Upper Mounts entering its rest phase, our team saw the opportunity to give these trees a new home, giving them new life in carefully selected Private Estate landscapes.

The Challenge

This project required precision logistics and specialist large tree lifting equipment. With only a three-week window and the lifting season nearing a close, time was limited.

Each tree with an 80cm girth weighed between 3,000 and 5,000kg, roughly the same as a fully grown African elephant, making every lift a significant operation.

At up to 12 meters tall, some of these specimens demanded exceptional care and coordination during lifting, loading, and transport. Managing trees of this size safely and efficiently required not only the right machinery, but also expertise in mature tree handling and relocation.

To achieve this, Hillier hired a 3m tree spade from Heritage Trees, a specialist tool capable of lifting mature trees with minimal root disturbance.

The team successfully coordinated complex deliveries and collections:

4 trees delivered to one Private Estate
9 trees delivered to a second Private Estate
10 trees collected by a third Private Estate

The logistics were intricate. The height of the trees pushed the limits of standard transport regulations, requiring careful route planning and expert load securing. Despite operating at the edge of the planting season in early April, our team successfully completed every lift, delivery, and collection, without compromise to safety or tree quality.

The Result

In total, 23 Metasequoia trees were successfully relocated, each now thriving in its new setting. Known for their impressive height, soft needle foliage, and rich autumn colour, they have become striking focal points within three Private Estates.

This project highlighted Hillier’s ability to deliver large scale trees with speed, precision, and environmental responsibility. By rehoming the trees rather than allowing them to be lost during fallowing, we preserved both their ecological and aesthetic value, ensuring these living specimens continue to enhance British landscapes for decades to come.