Special Branch Tree Nursery

Special Branch Tree Nursery is a voluntarily-run organic project near Stanmer Park which collects & propagates native tree seeds to supply local community groups and rangers. Volunteers welcome, every Friday.

Special Branch was established in Sept '97 to provide a unique service of growing native trees & hedging plants for conservation purposes. Most plants from tree nurseries in the UK have origins from abroad, often sourced and grown in Holland & eastern Europe. This leads to an erosion of local genetic stock and these plants are often not capable of adapting to our specific soil & climatic conditions. So our nursery is a specialised conservation practice which supplies locally sourced trees to a variety of people,groups, nature reserves & schools.

There is work all year round. Collecting & processing seeds in the Autumn, transplanting & selling saplings, preparing seed beds in Winter, seeds planted in Spring, and transplanting, weeding, watering, pond & wildlife meadow maintenance in Summer.

The nursery is part of an organic growers co-operative called Stanmer Organics. We have links with the council's Countryside Rangers and with Sussex Downs Conservation Board. Special Branch is run by four skilled, experienced & dedicated workers who have been trained professionally with grant funding and can pass on their knowledge to any potential volunteers and clients.