Tilhill Forestry, through its nursery Maelor Forest Nurseries, part of the BSW Group, has launched a new national delivery model for young trees. The company calls the service an industry first in the UK.

The new service integrates cold chain vehicles, specialist flatbeds, and truck-mounted forklifts. The aim is to protect tree health from the nursery to the planting site. This method also improves woodland establishment outcomes across the UK.

The system has been designed to safeguard both bare root and cell grown trees from weather-related stress and handling damage. By maintaining consistent temperatures, the transport process supports better long-term tree performance.

Maelor Forest Nurseries is one of the UK’s largest commercial tree nurseries. The nursery operates advanced mini-plug facilities and continually invests in improved tree genetics. Controlled growing environments are used to ensure high-quality saplings.

However, temperature fluctuations during transport have remained a critical threat to tree health. The period between lifting and planting is particularly vulnerable. Bare root trees exposed to temperatures of 4°C or above begin to respire. Respiration consumes vital carbohydrate reserves. Fine root tissues can be irreversibly damaged. This reduces the tree’s ability to establish in soil.

Erratic spring and autumn weather in recent years has increased these risks. Dormancy may be broken while trees are in storage or transit. Cold chain transport addresses this by maintaining saplings in a stable dormant state. By keeping temperatures low, respiration is suppressed, energy stores are preserved, and the risk of dehydration and disease is reduced.

Trees delivered via the cold chain arrive on site in optimal physiological condition. Rapid rooting is encouraged, and establishment is improved, even within compressed planting windows. This ensures stronger long-term woodland performance.

To further enhance delivery capability, BSW Group has added specialist flatbed vehicles and truck-mounted forklifts. This creates a fully mechanised delivery system. Flatbeds allow secure, space-optimised loads that can reach remote or constrained planting sites. Onboard forklifts enable fast, safe unloading without manual handling or additional machinery. Operational risk is reduced, and time on site is shortened for forestry teams.

This tree-first delivery service is now standard for all Maelor customers. High-quality handling is ensured from collection to planting. Consistency across the supply chain is maintained, benefiting foresters, landowners, and investors alike.

Andrew Henry, Nursery Director at Tilhill Forestry, explained: “This development is about more than transport – it’s about quality, consistency and giving trees the best possible start. As part of the UK’s largest integrated forestry and timber business, we’re uniquely positioned to innovate across the entire supply chain. By combining cold storage, efficient logistics and on-site mechanisation, we’re helping foresters, landowners and investors achieve stronger establishment results in an increasingly challenging climate.”

The new delivery model underscores the company’s commitment to raising forestry standards across the UK. Risk is reduced. Establishment success is improved. The long-term resilience of new woodlands is supported.

By integrating cold chain principles, specialist vehicles, and mechanised unloading, Tilhill Forestry and BSW Group are setting a benchmark in tree supply logistics. Saplings are treated as biological assets requiring controlled handling from nursery to planting.

The cold chain system provides foresters with confidence that trees arrive in optimal condition. Woodland creation is more reliable. The UK forestry sector benefits from this standardised approach.

With this innovation, Tilhill Forestry and Maelor Forest Nurseries aim to improve outcomes across all UK woodlands. Trees are protected from transport stress. Establishment is optimised. The company continues to combine nursery expertise with logistics innovation to support forestry, landowners, and the wider industry.

Source: tilhill.com